Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Own Your Attitude

Romans 15:5 says May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had…

Being placed in an uncomfortable or stressful situation always seems to bring out either the best or the worst in us.  Maybe you’re feeling the weight of responsibility for employees or for supporting your family.  Maybe you’re feeling the pressure to work from home and homeschool the kids.  Maybe you're a highly social person like me and the isolation is driving you out of your mind.  Whatever the dynamics of your situation, at least you know that we’re all going through our own version of the same struggle.

While coronavirus is probably not your fault, and job loss is not your fault, and the lack of toilet paper is not your fault (if it is you should probably keep that information on the DL), there’s a lot of dynamics that are not your fault and are beyond your ability to control.  But here’s what you can control: your attitude.

Whether you accept it or not, you own your attitude.  Your attitude toward the situation, toward the people at the store, toward the media, toward politicians, toward the other people locked down in your house…your attitude is  your responsibility.  Consider what John Maxwell said about our attitudes: “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.”

Here’s my encouragement: Own your attitude.  Don’t criticize, empathize.  Think like a victor, not a victim.  Be patient, not pushy; grateful not grumpy.  Have the same attitude toward others, that Jesus had.

The Ball Is Coming To You

Allow me a word specifically for men.  It could be for most anyone, but specifically I'm thinking of the men I know: “The ball is coming...