Attitude—The Difference Maker #1:

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5 NASB).

As we begin this new year, it is a good thing to take time to reflect back over the past year and to carefully consider goals for the new year. In spite of the negativity concerning New Year’s resolutions, a person’s odds of achieving them are much higher when they set goals. And perhaps the most helpful tool that each person has in achieving their goals is their attitude. Attitude is the difference maker. Just consider a few quotes about a person’s attitude.

Thomas Jefferson said, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal. Nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong attitude.” Similarly, Jeff Keller said, “Your attitude is your window to the world.”

William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” A psychologist named Viktor Frankl endured the horrors of the Nazi death camps. He later wrote that the Nazis took everything from him—his property and possessions, his family and friends, his future and hope, and even the very clothes on his back. Even still, he said: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

Jeff Keller said, “Your success in life begins and ends with your attitude.” Your attitude will make a difference in how you view yourself, others, your circumstances, your hopes and dreams, your opportunities and obstacles. Your attitude will make a difference in how you treat your family and friends. It makes a great difference in your work and your health. I have witnessed people who had a determined attitude literally defy life and death. There is great power in choosing one’s attitude throughout life!

The Bible has a lot to say about one’s attitude. And the reality of the matter is that apart from a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ, the next most important thing about a person is their attitude. Therefore, over the next several months, we are going to consider what attitudes a person should have and how these attitudes can literally change our lives. An unknown source once said, “A positive attitude is a person’s passport to a better tomorrow.” Thus, I want to encourage you to join me in this journey of changing our attitudes to the destination of a brighter tomorrow.

More of Him, less of me,

      Matt