A WINNING ATTITUDE;The Choice Is Yours!

This morning as I awakened out of a much cherished sleep, I found myself saying “I am going to have a good day today. I am not going to be ‘down’ but ‘up’ in my outlook!” Thinking back on those early moments of consciousness, I realized that I had purposely decided to allow my attitude to determine the kind of day I would have, and not allow the kind of day I would have determine my attitude! I knew I had a lot of challenging things going on in my life and that I would have several opportunities to get discouraged. I had a couple of decisions to make that I was not looking forward to! Yet, before my feet hit the floor this morning I had already decided what kind of attitude I would have regardless of the challenges I would face. Well, even though I dealt with some of those challenges and others still remain, I had a good day. I was reminded today that I have control over my attitude even if I don’t have control over all the circumstances of my life. I understand that our attitude determines our approach to life just as my attitude this morning determined my approach to my day ahead!

Like the Apostle Paul, we must learn to have the proper attitude in life no matter what the circumstances or situation! Paul said in Philippians 4:11, “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Not only did Paul learn to have a proper attitude in good and bad times, he also learned to have a winning attitude in life. In Philippians 4:13 Paul said “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” A winning attitude allows us to see things we could never see otherwise! A winning attitude allows us to see opportunities when others only see obstacles! This reminds me of the story about two shoe salesmen looking for a market in a certain African village. The first shoe salesman, upon arrival to the African village observed that very few people were wearing shoes. He immediately wired a message back home to headquarters, ” Cancel order, no market here for shoes!” The second shoe salesman, upon arrival to the same African village also observed that very few people were wearing shoes. He immediately became excited and wired a message back home to headquarters, “Double the original order, great opportunity to sell shoes, only a few presently have shoes!”

Our attitude in life determines our performance! This reminds me of another story about a man who stopped to observe three men working on a building. He asked each one of them what they were doing. The first man, while frowning, groaning and cursing his labors replied, “I’m just piling these bricks on top of each other all day long and my back feels like it’s about to break.” The second man said, “I’m just building this wall so I can get paid. I’m just putting in my time.” The third man, whistling and full of joy replied, “I’m helping to build a great cathedral!” Our attitude determines our vision and joy in life. It is often the difference between promotion and demotion! Daniel, who was taken captive to Babylon and experienced tough times was known for his winning attitude (he had an excellent spirit)! Promotions don’t produce outstanding attitudes, but rather, outstanding attitudes produce promotions! See Daniel 6:1-3.

A person with a winning attitude, when confronted with difficult times will make the best of it, while getting the worst of it! Don’t allow a negative past experience sour your thinking and attitude. A bad attitude will not let you go up and  a good attitude won’t let you stay down! Proverbs 24:16. Your attitude will bring you a complaint, or it will bring you a compliment! Our attitude is a primary force that will determine whether we win or lose in life. attitudes can be seen without a word being spoken. Remember, God looks on the heart! 1 Samuel 16:7. Our attitudes reveal what we expect from life! We must understand that dreams, visions, jobs, promotions, relationships and opportunities are ruined by poor (losing) attitudes. Often people can’t figure out why they loss a job or didn’t get that promotion even though they had the ability or were better qualified than another. But know this, your ability can say “victory” but your attitude says “defeat!” People with a winning attitude attack the problems of life with their eyes on the benefits, not the barriers! See Psalm 103:1-5. The apostle Paul, said in Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind [attitude] be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Jesus definitely has a winning attitude! He also said in Ephesians 4:23, “And be renewed in the spirit[attitude] of your mind:” If you are feeling down and defeated in life, perhaps its time for a new attitude! A winning attitude is your choice. As for me, I am determined to have a winning attitude! I have decided to have my attitude determine what kind of day I will have and not allow what kind of day I have determine my attitude!