at·ti·tude
[noun] a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.
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Let me start by saying I would consider myself a positive person. I try to look at the glass half full, to see the good in everything and everyone. I love having a chance to encourage others when negativity seems to bring them down. I know a positive attitude can go a long way.
However, choosing a positive attitude is a battle, one I lose more often than I care to admit, especially in recent months. I have found myself frustrated, stressed, and bitter, and just as the definition above states, those feelings have come out in my words and actions more than once. The worst part of a bad attitude is the tendency to want to justify the feelings or behaviors and blame the circumstances around me. But I am the only one to blame. My attitude is my choice.
This week the battle of good and bad attitudes, positive and negative thinking started right away. And I was losing badly. But I came to an important realization a couple days ago.
God wants me to put on an attitude of LOVE.
Colossians 3:14 “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
An attitude of love is more than a positive attitude. It is a God attitude. And the best part is God’s word gives clear descriptions and examples of what this attitude looks like.
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
An attitude of love means I quit worrying about whether my glass is half empty or half full and start thinking about how to fill the glasses of others- how I can love and serve them. An attitude of love means letting go of my selfish desires. What I want or what I think I deserve should not be first priority. An attitude of love means tearing up the list of things that have frustrated me over time, emptying my pockets of any rocks that can be used for revenge. An attitude of love overcomes bitterness and frustration, even if circumstances in life don’t change. An attitude of love is not easy, but living love brings true joy, not just temporary happiness.
Right now I am winning the attitude battle, but to be honest, I know there will come a time when I begin to lose ground. The battle will be on-going as situations and circumstances change. There will be hard times. There will be people I don’t get along with. There will be things I don’t understand. So this blog serves as a reminder to myself as much as anyone else to fight each battle with an attitude of LOVE.
