The Impact Attitude Has On Action

It's amazing how much the attitude we have impacts the way we perform. It is just as striking to consider how many things affect our attitudes and how quickly they can change. When we think about what we are doing and how we are feeling, we realize how much control we really have over the attitude we carry. There is so much that happens on any given day that can sour the way we view the day. The goodness of God that is always toward us can cause us to have a quick adjustment for the better as well. We are responsible for a good attitude. We may have things that happen which will challenge a positive mindset, but those things do not remove the responsibility we have. Take a good, hard look at how your attitude affects your performance. When we recognize the link we will see how important it is to carry an attitude that is good. Our actions are sure to follow our attitudes whether they are good or bad.

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A Rainy Day

It's a rainy, dreary day in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a good time to remind myself that the things going on outside of me do not have to impact my inner being. While the clouds have gathered and the rain drops fall, I am still enjoying my connection with God. A dark cloudy exterior does not in the least change the sunny disposition of my soul, unless I let it. In fact, I am reminded of the promise that God let's His rain fall on the just and the unjust. He waters the ground so that it can produce for us. He is so good that He does that for those that love Him and those that do not. My grass will be greener because of this rain. My wife's flowers will bloom better because of this rain. Fruits and vegetables may even get a little cheaper because of this rain. There is always an opportunity to allow our inner strength to overcome the outward situation. Rain is actually a good thing. When we believe in the providence of God the things rainy days represent are also for our good. Whether you are dealing with literal or symbolic rain, lean on the Holy Spirit for strength on the inside of you and overcome the rain.

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What Can You Celebrate?

That is a question that turned my life upside down. I would have considered myself a pretty positive person most of my life. I love good things. I tend to think about good things. I look for the best in others. That had been my outlook until about five years ago. Somehow, I fell into a gloom and doom cycle. I can't really describe how it happened. I can't really tell you exactly when it happened. All I know is that I wound up in a bad mental and emotional state. There is no doubt that negative communication from others was a contributing factor. That is true, but I cannot blame others. There were, as there always is, some negative circumstances to deal with. However, I cannot blame the circumstances of life either. The problem I had, and I had it for more than a few days, was my perspective. I was choosing to spend far too much time dwelling on the negative forces in my life. The funny thing about it was I did not even realize how tainted my viewpoint had become until a friend of mine asked me the question "what in your life can you celebrate right now?" It was like a switch was flipped and light sprang from the darkness. The few negative things, that were being fed to me by negative people, began to shrink. I thought about the wonderful family God has blessed me with. I thought about the great privilege I have to exercise my calling and to actually get paid for doing it. I thought about the beautiful place God has allowed me to live. I thought about my health. I thought about the stability I enjoy in these unstable times. I thought about the tremendous salvation that I have from Jesus Christ. I determined from that day on that I would occasionally ask myself that question. It always puts a smile on my face. I hope you will take the time to count your blessings. It may amaze you when you consider all the good things that are happening while you are magnifying the bad.

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