Fear, Hope, Perspectives, Words of Endurance
The Power of Attitude
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
WINSTON CHURCHILL
It is impressive the power our attitudes have on our life experiences and outcomes. Yet many of us don’t even realize the power our attitudes – positive or negative – wield.
Consider the response leadership expert John Maxwell received when he asked an audience to name what most determines happiness, acceptance, peace, and success. The audience responded – job – education – money – time. Almost as an afterthought, someone said “attitude.” Maxwell responded …
“… attitude is the primary force that will determine
whether we will succeed or fail.”
Attitudes have been influencing people’s lives and future opportunities for thousands of years. King Solomon, for example, was the richest and wisest man who ever lived but he definitely had attitude problems. His attitude put a sour taste on the best life had to offer:
Everything I wanted I took—I never said no to myself.
I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing.
I sucked the marrow of pleasure out of every task—
my reward to myself for a hard day’s work!
Then I took a good look at everything I’d done,
looked at all the sweat and hard work.
But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke.
Smoke and spitting into the wind.
There was nothing to any of it. Nothing.
ECCLESIASTES 2:10-11 (THE MESSAGE)
King Solomon’s attitude apparently did not improve as time went on. Notice what happened to the nation of Israel as a result of Solomon’s arrogant attitude:
So the Lord said to Solomon,
“Since this is your attitude and
you have not kept my covenant and my decrees
which I commanded you,
I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you
And give it to one of your subordinates.”
1 KINGS 11:11
Our attitudes not only affect us – they affect others as well. As John Maxwell points out …
“There’s only one thing more contagious
than a good attitude – a bad attitude.
A negative attitude hurts
rather than helps the person who has it.
And it also hurts the people around him.”
If you want to know how true Maxwell’s statement is – just ask Moses. When he sent the twelve spies into the Promised Land ten of them said …
“We can’t attack those people; they’re stronger than we are”
NUMBERS 13:31
The fearful, faithless attitude of ten men quickly spread to the entire nation of Israel. By nightfall – two to three million people were wailing and grumbling! That is attitude power out of control! In the end, the nation of Israel remained in the wilderness and for decades forfeited the hope and opportunity of the Promised Land.
Attitudes may seem insignificant and cause little consequence but truth be told attitude can be life changing – for better or for worse – our choice. No wonder the Scriptures tell us to …
Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind
having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.
EPHESIANS 4:23 (AMP)
On the Journey with You,
Dave Dravecky
