Your attitude is the predisposition of your entire mental state toward the world at large and toward specific people, places or things. It is what you believe about situations, ideas, persons, relationships, etc. Attitude is everything and everything is attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude. Most of the time, we don’t recognize our attitude until it is pointed out to us or until we figure it out on our own.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Corinthians 4 [13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
We tend to accept whatever attitude we have as our genuine, authentic views about life. Whatever we like, we like. We don’t need an explanation for it. Even when something is bad for us, we like it anyway. Whatever we dislike, we dislike. We don’t want to surrender it for anyone or anything.
Many people won’t come to church because their attitude is negative about it. Many people never strive for victory or excellent because of their attitude. I can’t make people like me. This is especially evident in dealing with young people.
What does this mean to us? We cannot ascribe our failures to outside forces. Your spiritual DNA is written within your own heart. If it were possible to blame our failures on someone else, can you imagine the scenario at the final judgment?
“Not guilty by reason of insanity.”
“Not guilty by reason of undue and pernicious influence by others.”
[1] “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6 ] Who will render to every man according to his deeds .” Romans 2:1-6
(The following list comes from “The Attitude of Survival” by Chris Conway.)
“A wilderness emergency could possibly happen to anyone, anywhere. When confronted with an unexpected survival situation man has the potential to overcome many challenges, beat incredible odds, and come out a survivor. But just what is survival anyway? Survival is the art of surviving beyond any event. To survive means to remain alive; to live. Survival is taking any given circumstance, accepting it, and trying to improve it, while sustaining your life until you can get out of the situation. And most importantly, survival is a state of mind .
(The Attitude of Survival, from Chris Conway, rec_re8@hotmail.com )
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/9200/survival_attitude.html
Much of our success in living for God depends upon how well we manage our attitude.
[17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[18] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
[19] Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
[20] And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
[21] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
[22] And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
[23] Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
[24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
[25] And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
[26] Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
[27] For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.