Attitudes

Attitudes

By Elisha L ai M r s. Zinn

2007

Attitudes Written by Elisha Lai “The longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how you and I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.” These are the words of an American author named Chuck Swindoll. Attitudes, patterns of thinking formed over a period of time, are indeed very important to us because they determine what we see and how we handle our emotions. We cannot change our attitudes in a few minutes or even in a few days, but we can begin working to change our wrong attitudes. We are responsible for our own attitudes. If we have the wrong attitudes, how are we going to succeed? Just like Harry F. Banks said: “ for success, attitude is equally as important as ability.” God greatly dislike complaining, criticism, covetousness, rebelliousness or doubting attitude in us.

These attitudes prevent us from becoming more like Christ.

Complaining is when we express resentment or dissatisfaction over situations or circumstances that are beyond our control and which we can do nothing about. When you and I complain, our lives become joyless. In the Bible, the Israelites complained to Moses all the time. On Philippians 2:14–15, it says to do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticise you. When we are thankful, complains will slip away from our lives. Just like complaining is wrong, criticism is wrong, too.

Criticism can be both bad and good, but often times we use it in a destructive way that can hurt other people’s feeling. When we criticise others destructively, we point out the wrong faults of another person without concerning to their mental and emotional health.

Destructive criticism annilate our relationship with other people and most important our relationship with God. Consequently, replace a critical attitude with a positive attitude of

love with corrective support. According to Matthew 7:1, we should not judge others, and then we will not be judged by others. As mentioned, criticism and complaining is unacceptable, covetousness is also the same.

Covetousness is wanting things that are wrong. For example, wanting money to buy whatever you want. Covetousness is also wanting things that are right, but for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time, or in the wrong amount. When we covet, it ruins our ability to know what quantity is enough and to know God’s sufficiency. In Philippians 4: 11–12, it says: “not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” According to what Paul said in Philippians 4:11–12, contentment, satisfaction of what God had given you, can replace covetousness. The next negative attitude, rebelliousness, can be easily found in our lives.

Rebelliousness is defiance to submit to what God wants you and me to do. James MacDonald said: “we all have rebellion in our hearts.” All of us have areas in our lives where we have chosen not to do what we know to be right. All of us know more than we are doing.

That is rebellion.” Just like what James said, we all have rebellion in our hearts. God has called us to submit to the authorities that God has established in our lives. So, let us replace our rebellious attitude with an attitude of submission. In Peter 2:13, it says to submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution. The following negative attitude, doubting, can affect our faith in Christ.

Doubting is the lack of confidence that God will fulfil his promises. If you go on the street now and search for people of faith, you will find more doubters. The only right attitude that can replace doubting is faith. When we face “Giants”, “Bullies”, difficulties, or trials, we should be filled with faith and know that God will fulfil His promises. According to Hebrews

11:6, it is impossible to please God without faith. In the Bible, Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, doubted that Jesus was not resurrected from the dead. In James 1:6, it says: “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as the wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”

If all our attitudes are correct, we are like a tree that bears good fruits. Unfortunately, not all of our attitudes are correct. For example, I am struggling with complaining and covetousness. I remember when I am 6 years old, I often covet what my neighbour have like tops. One day, I stole one of his tops when I and my neighbour play tops together. I was caught, and I was very ashamed of myself. There was also a time when I complained. One time, when my mother called me to do some housework, I complained. In the end, I still have to do it. I have devised a plan to change my two negative attitudes—complaining and covetousness—using a 6-step solution. First, I will admit my negative attitudes. Second, I will look up Bible verses concerning the negative attitudes. Third, I will memorise the Bible verses. Fourth, I will pray and ask God for help. Fifth, I will think before reacting to what happen to me. Sixth, I will ask my parents and friends to bring it to my attention when I complain or covet this year. Using this method, I can gradually change my negative attitudes. In the end, let us have positive attitudes because our attitudes do honestly reveal clearly the person you are.