Peace, Perspectives, Words of Endurance

Attitude Makes a Difference

We’ve all seen it – the attitude that turns an athlete into a champion – that turns an ordinary soldier into a hero – that turns an entertainer into a star – that turns a failure into an honorable legacy. Those of us who are close to cancer and its survivors see it every day as well. We see the attitudes that turn wounded sufferers into survivors.



I know as well as anyone that attitude isn’t everything. It won’t turn a klutzy, uncoordinated person into a world-class athlete or an off-key singer into an American Idol. As important as attitude is, some patients with inspiring positive attitudes will succumb to their illness while others with negative attitudes will survive.



But I do know that having the positive attitude towards life – with all its pitfalls and detours – sure does help to make the journey so much easier to endure! During my bout with cancer Chuck Swindoll encouraged me in his book, Strengthening Your Grip. I learned that while I may not have a choice regarding what happens to me but I do have a choice on how I react to it. I share his observation with you so that you, too, may be encouraged – no matter what your circumstances…



ATTITUDE

The longer I live
the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude to me is more important than facts.
It is more important than education,
than money than circumstances,
than failures, than successes,
than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.
It will make or break a company … a church … a home.
The remarkable thing is 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 do is play on the one string
we have and that is our attitude …
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens
And 90% how I react to it.



Amen Chuck! I love this! I have kept this quote on the wall of my office for many years!



You may feel that you cannot change your attitude if you are going to be real – I understand. But I challenge you to be real before God – acknowledge that you do not have the best attitude with what you are going through. After you surrender your attitude to God – then watch Him change your attitude and experience His peace – which is beyond our understanding! The Apostle Paul encourages us by saying …



Summing it all up, friends,
I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds
and meditating on things true,
noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—
the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly;
things to praise, not things to curse.
Put into practice what you learned from me,
what you heard and saw and realized.
Do that, and God, who makes everything work together,
will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9 (THE MESSAGE)



On the Journey with You,
Dave Dravecky