by Terry Bishir
I think the saying,” attitude affects altitude” is a significant truth. I for one have to work overtime against my old nature and my personality temperament. I just have an extra dose of seeing the ” glass half empty” instead of “half full.” Seeing the things that are not right and what needs fixed is a common starting place for me. Daily I have to habitually remind myself to focus on the positive, look for the opportunity and remember the Lord is involved in every situation with His supernatural power to take the problems and use them for His glory. Daily I have to make many ” attitude adjustments”. Adjustments to be more positive, more thankful, and allow the Lord to deliver me from the negative attitudes that will keep me in the wilderness and out of the promised land. I need to change my attitude before it changes me for the worst! Before it is to late! I am thankful the Lord will help me with that as he moves me from fear to faith, but I must step up to the problem and allow Him to deliver me.
One very negative attitude is Complaining! Complaining is an attitude choice that if left unchecked will deplete my capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness. I must choose to root out this bad habit of complaint and replace it with good habits that in time will also help to change my inward attitude for the better. Attitudes are patterns of thinking formed over a long period of time. They become deeply ingrained in our hearts that we hardly even notice them. We get used to reacting a certain way that our choices become automatic, and in time we cease to them as actual choices. We feel like we are trapped but we really are not. This is a cycle that we must break and with the Lord’s help we can do so. The cost of not changing a negative attitude is very expensive in our own lives and in the lives of others who we live with and minister to. The cost is even more when it comes to our relationship with our Lord! He takes very seriously the COMPLAINING of His PEOPLE. We read about this in Numbers 11 where the Children of Israel are in the wilderness. Murmuring and Complaining were addressed by the Lord in some very serious ways. WHY? Because our Lord knows how this sin will actually destroy our lives.
So with those thoughts in mind let me give you a few practical ideas that we can begin to put into practice in developing better attitudes so as to overcome the serious negative habit of complaining! These suggestions were written by a fellow by the name of John Gordon. I have found them helpful and would like to share them with you today. Hope they help you like they have helped me.
5 THINGS TO DO INSTEAD OF COMPLAIN
1. Practice Gratitude. Research shows that when we count three blessings a day, we get a measurable boost in happiness that uplifts and energizes us. It’s also physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. Two thoughts cannot occupy our mind at the same time. If you are focusing on gratitude, you can’t be negative. You can also energize and engage your coworkers by letting them know you are grateful for them and their work.
2. Praise Others. Instead of complaining about what others are doing wrong, start focusing on what they are doing right. Praise them and watch as they create more success as a result. Of course, point out their mistakes so they can learn and grow, but make sure you give three times as much praise as criticism.
3. Focus on Success. Start a success journal. Each night before you go to bed, write down the one great thing about your day. The one great conversation, accomplishment, or win that you are most proud of. Focus on your success, and you’ll look forward to creating more success tomorrow.
4. Let Go. Focus on the things that you have the power to change, and let go of the things that are beyond your control. You’ll be amazed that when you stop trying to control everything, it all somehow works out.
5. Pray and Meditate. Scientific research shows that these daily practices reduce stress; boost positive energy; and promote health, vitality, and longevity. When you are faced with the urge to complain or you are feeling stressed to the max, stop, be still, plug-in to the ultimate power, and recharge.
These are only a few things that we can do to rebuild positive attitudes instead of negative attitudes. Perhaps you have other ideas you could share, Would be glad to hear from you on such. I hope you join me in fighting wrong attitudes and not settling for defeat but striving for victory for God’s Glory. I would also like to share a great book to read on this subject, one which I read years ago and it has been a source of true help to me. The book is entitled “LORD CHANGE MY ATTITUDE”. The author is James MacDonald and the publisher is Moody Press.
” Attitude Does Affect Altitude” and ” Outlook Does Affect Outcome.”
By Terry Bishir
Original article can be found at http://www.libertyfamily.org/rwt-blog-45861