Attitude

Attitude

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:5, NLT).

In Philippians 2:1-11 we learn about the “selfless” attitude of Christ. Though he had every right to “think highly” of himself—though He could have placed His own life above our need, Jesus humbled himself. Following the will of His Father, He gave His life for you and me. He thought less of himself and more of us. He chose us. In verse 5 we are reminded that we are to have this same attitude. When we accept Him as Savior, we choose Him. In choosing Him as Savior we should also choose to have the same kind of selfless attitude—one that regards another person’s needs greater than our own. When we choose His humble attitude, we reveal that we are secure in our identity in Him—just as He was secure in who He was in His Father's purpose. When we choose His attitude we submit to His will. When we choose His attitude we give up any “right” to our own agenda and need to be recognized. We become less so He can become more. We learn to live for others unburdened by our own selfish desires.

Your attitude is a choice. You choose how you think. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 27:3a, NASB). How you think determines how you feel. You can have a positive attitude that gives you an optimistic look on life or you can have a negative attitude that continually keeps you buried under a pile of emotional rubble. If you want to live a joyful and abundant life―one that spills over with spontaneous faith—one that sees the possibilities instead of the problems, you must work to have a positive attitude.

A negative attitude can be so deeply ingrained that it is hard to let it go. Whether it is generational or the result of where you are in life, that bad attitude can change when you choose again and again for it to change. If you are a new person in Christ, then you are new. The old has passed away. You choose for the old to not control you. You choose a positive attitude, and God empowers your choice. He breaks the negative which has ingrained your mind. He breaks generational darkness which has claimed your thoughts. He breaks the influence of experience and environment. You choose, and God transforms your mind and your attitude.

Choose to handle life's problems and circumstances with a positive attitude. Determine to think positively and react differently to what happens in life. Live in a mature way that exhibits the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you make this selfless journey of surrender—when you accept responsibility for your life—when you realize that without Him you cannot experience the heart change that brings attitude change, you have chosen to seek the attitude of Christ. Choose to live a positive life. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit to act upon what you have determined will be true. He will not disappoint you.

   Lynn Lacher