Having a good attitude in the midst of a trying situation isn’t easy, and often we beat ourselves up for not instantly having the “right” attitude. But let’s be honest, sometimes having a good attitude is more than we can manage. We may know where we need to go, but it may take us some time to get there—and that’s okay. Making an attitude adjustment isn’t an easy process. Whenever I think of the ups and downs of that process, I remember a phone call I received early one morning after a fall b... (continued)

A well-poised and proud 92-year-old man, who, even though he is legally blind, is fully dressed and perfectly shaved by eight o’clock each morning, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that h... (continued)

The well-documented data on the impact of attitude on health is impressive. Even more impressive, although not as scientifically documented, is the power of our attitudes to shape our life experiences and outcomes. Yet many of us don’t even realize the power our attitudes wield.

Consider the response leadership expert John Maxwell received when he asked an audience to name what most determines happiness, acceptance, peace, and success. They mentioned job, education, money, time. Almost a... (continued)

No one who is alive and breathing has a perfect attitude all of the time. Most of us readily admit that our attitudes need adjustment, especially if suffering has revealed some of our less desirable attitude tendencies. But the thought of actually changing our attitudes can be overwhelming.

Instead of owning up to our bad attitudes, we often justify them: “I’ve been sick for so long. If anyone has earned the right to be pessimistic, it’s me.” Or, we blame others when our attitudes fall s... (continued)

One bit of wisdom that has really inspired me is Chuck Swindoll’s assessment of attitude:

The more I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life… We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will react in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can change is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens and 90% how I react to it.

I don’... (continued)

Once we admit that we need to make attitude adjustments, where do we start? It’s really quite simple. We start with the source of our attitudes—our thinking. Attitudes are nothing more than habits of thought. So to change our attitudes, we have to change the way we think. Perhaps this is why the Scriptures tell us, “This is what the LORD God Almighty says, ‘Give careful thought to your ways’” (Haggai 1:7).

The person who gives careful thought to what he or she does, thinks, plans, says a... (continued)

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What’s the antidote to doing time in an attitude rut? If you want to get out quick and stay out, reach for a dose of gratitude! As difficult as it may be to live in an attitude of thankfulness when we’re hurting, there is life-changing power in gratitude.

Gratitude lifts our eyes from the dark and dreary rut in which we feel trapped and focuses our attention on the God who parts sea... (continued)

When Wendy, a retired nurse, woke up with a numb left arm and shoulder, she knew something was terribly wrong. She had severely injured her neck years before, so the symptoms weren’t a total surprise, but she never expected the intense pain she felt. With her primary care physician out on leave for breast cancer, Wendy had to deal with the added complication of on-call physicians who didn’t know her or her medical history. Four days and sleepless nights later, she finally saw a physician for ... (continued)

When we are in desperate pain, it is easy to feel that we have nothing for which to be thankful. But it only takes a quick look at Scripture to prime the pump of gratefulness. No matter what our circumstances, we can always thank God for:

His gift of salvation (Romans 6:23)

All of the promises in His Word (Psalm 119:160)

Heaven, our eternal home where He awaits us (John 14:2, 3)

We can always be thankful that God:

Never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5)

Lives to... (continued)

Be realistic. It won’t happen fast. It won’t be easy. Nor will your resolve be permanent overnight. Periodic failures, however are still better than habitual slavery. — Chuck Swindoll

Our thought life and attitudes can be almost automatic, like a well-traveled rut into which we easily fall. It can take considerable effort and time to keep our thoughts from slipping back into those familiar, well-worn grooves. This is particularly true when we encounter longstanding (and sometimes well-f... (continued)

Scientists are now confirming what the ancient wisdom of the Bible has said all along: “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”1

Positive emotions can extend our life span and improve our physical and mental well-being. A study of Harvard graduates revealed that the way in which young men explained negative events—whether pessimistically or optimistically—indicated several physical health outcomes decades later. Specifically, optimism in early life predicted good health later in life.2

A... (continued)

Changing our attitudes requires us to change the way we think, and that is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. It may take weeks, months or even longer to “retrain” our attitudes. Like an athlete in training, those of us in “attitude training” need to focus on the specific exercises that will enable us to reach our goal. Perhaps you can use the reminders on the ATTITUDE acrostic as “training stations” help keep on track while you train for a better attitude. Post them on your computer, o... (continued)

When Suffering Exposes What We’d Rather Not See

Kelly had always struggled with a fearful attitude. Fear of failure, pain, rejection or anything unpleasant could quickly overwhelm her. But Kelly had found an effective weapon that kept a tight lid on her fear: she simply took control of everything and everyone in her world. She did not use control to limit or harm others; it was simply her way of keeping her world organized, efficient and free of fear.

Although Kelly was a fine-tune... (continued)

A thankful disposition will always find some cause for cheer, and a gloomy one will find a cloud in the brightest sky and a fly in the sweetest oin (more...)

OUR FINEST MOMENTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN WE ARE FEELING DEEPLY UNCOMFORTABLE, UNHAPPY, OR UNFULFILLED. FOR IT IS ONLY IN SUCH MOMENTS, PROP (more...)

One of John Maxwell’s favorite stories is about a grandpa and grandma who visited their grandchildren. Each afternoon Grandpa would lie down for a (more...)