Read Mark 9:14-29. It is an awesome story of a man whose attitude helped him to overcome his problems. Most of this story is an attempt by Jesus to show His disciples the power of prayer and believing; however, if you look closely enough, we can also see what happens when we have the right attitude.
Often we miss what God wants to do in our lives because we have a bad attitude. Someone “cuts us off” on the road, so our attitude is “I’ll get him back.” The teacher does not give us the grade we think we deserve, so we get the attitude that the teacher is out to get us. We’re not invited to the party everyone else is invited to, so we think no one likes us. The list can go on-and-on-and-on-and-on-and-on. Do you get my point? Our attitude means everything. It can help us grow or it can help us die. Here are a few things said about our attitude:
“God. . . gives me the freedom to acknowledge my negative attitudes before him but not the freedom to act them out because they are as destructive for me as they are for the other person.” - Rebecca Manley Pippert
“At any moment in life we have the option to choose an attitude of gratitude, a posture of grace, a commitment to joy.” - Tim Hansel
“Attitudes are capable of making the same experience either pleasant or painful.” - John Powell
“It's not what happens to me that matters most; it's how I react to what happens to me.” - Robert Harold Schuller
Whether we realize it or not, it’s our attitude toward the things we may not like in our lives that will make us stronger or weaker. Have you checked your attitude lately?
Here’s something to think about. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus’ message was one of repentance. His message, simply stated, exclaims that we need to say no to our sin, yes to Jesus, to ask forgiveness, to make Jesus Lord of our life and in the process of growing in Him, to change our attitude. In Matthew 5, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount deals with attitudes. We must remember, however, that God’s way of doing things will contradict the things of the world. The world may think we’re crazy, but God is saying “This is what I want.” Consider the beatitudes. We think in terms of pride and personal independence, but Jesus says to be poor in spirit. In doing so we’ll receive the kingdom of heaven. The world says “happiness at any cost”, but Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The world says “deception is acceptable if it will help us get ahead”, but Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Jesus says to be meek, to live righteously, to love mercy, to be a peacemaker, to endure persecution all for His sake and in doing so, we will exhibit the qualities in life that will help us grow and bring others to Christ. Read Matthew chapter 5 and see if God’s attitude toward things are your attitudes. If not, make it your prayer to change your attitude. It will make studying God’s Word more productive. It will make worship more meaningful. It will make friendships more giving than receiving. It will make life more complete. All these things happen when our attitudes have the hope of Jesus instead of the pride of self or the negativity of satan.
The following are seven attitudes we need to have. There are times for all seven of these attitudes to work in our lives. We need to be in prayer that the Holy Spirit will help us recognize what God is doing in our lives so that we can operate in the right attitude. Are you ready? Here they are:
• Lying down – there are times that we need to step back and be refreshed in Christ. Psalm 23:2
• Sitting – it’s easy to think we know it all. However, there are times when God needs to teach us about Him, about life in general and about ourselves. Sometimes we need to sit and receive instruction. Luke 10:39
• Standing for battle – life is not easy. The Bible tells us that satan is looking for anyone he may devour – totally destroy. As a Christian we are his “number 1” target. To stay strong in Christ takes a fight. You must guard yourself against the things that would allow temptation to overcome you. Stand strong, follow Christ and be courageous enough to stand for him when the door to temptation comes. Ephesians 6:14
• Walking – in the light of Christ. I John 1:7 tells us that when we walk in the light as Christ is in the light that a certain outcome will occur. We will have fellowship with other believers. In other words, one test as to whether we are walking in Christ is whether we have fellowship with other believers. One author says, “Love of the brethren (other believers) is the product of love of God; fellowship with the brethren is proof of fellowship with God.” Are you walking in Christ? When you do you will be able to encourage others, to inspire others and to help others walk in the light of Christ as well.
• Running – for progress. Hebrews 12:1 tells us that life and our Christian walk resembles a race. Like a race, we all get tired and we’re pressed against time, but we must keep going. In your personal walk, never stop learning and don’t grow weary in doing what God has for you. Fix your eyes on Jesus and keep living for Christ. Will hard times come? You better believe it. Will satan try to trip you? Absolutely. Is living a Christian life hard? YES! Through the example of Christ and the strength of the Holy Spirit, you can keep running and finish the race.
• Leaping – for joy in Christ. The pressures of life, our circumstances, difficult times, the loss of friends, unfulfilled expectations – all these things can rob our joy. That is exactly what satan wants to do – steal our joy, our peace and our walk with Christ. Acts 3 contains a great story of the lame man who received a touch from God and immediately stood up, leaping and dancing and praising God. No one knows the struggles you’ve been through, no one knows what God has delivered you from and no one knows why you praise God with such exuberance like you do. Don’t stop praising Him, and for the psalmist said, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
• Wait – for God. Lastly, God isn’t like Burger King – you can’t have it your way right away. Sometimes God delays answering our prayers because there is a lesson He needs us to learn. Often we quit or give up just before God gives His answer. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” There are times in worship, prayer and life in general that we need to sit back and wait for God. He is always working for our betterment. It may not be our way, but He knows who He wants us to be. We must become who He wants us to be before we can do what He wants us to do. Sit back and wait on the Lord.
Our attitudes mean everything. It can build walls of division or it can build steps toward God. It’s your choice. Choose life by choosing the right attitude to whatever comes up in your life.
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