Charles Swindoll once said, “Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do… The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day… I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me, and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitude.”
Sometimes we fail to maintain an optimistic outlook because of the “if only” complex. If only I made more money I’d be happy. If only my spouse understood me better. If only I could lose some weight. If only my teenagers weren’t acting out. If only I had gotten a better break in life. If only God wouldn’t have allowed ______________ to happen.
Child psychologists remind us that more is caught than taught, and it’s no different with discipleship. One of the things that gave Paul the confidence to challenge others to imitate him was that he had a contagiously optimistic attitude.
Time and time again, in suffering and hardship, Paul urges his readers to rejoice—even writing from a prison cell with uncertainty about the fate of his life. It was in this solitary confinement were Paul penned these words:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)
Studies show that optimism and hopefulness go together. Optimists handle stress better, recover from surgery faster, and are more resilient in recovering from disease. If a positive attitude is an antidote to disease, think of what it can do to something like a damaged relationship, a difficult challenge at work, or a domestic problem.
Paul had a culture of optimism and he said, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” What are others seeing in your attitude right now? Is it worthy of imitating?
Remember, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, and your values become your destiny.
Father, give us the courage to CHOOSE to rejoice in every and any circumstance. We need Your presence to help us do this. There is nothing in our lives too difficult for You. We find peace in understanding this. And that peace cannot be shaken by the world’s shifting events. Help us to have optimistic spirits and healthy attitudes in our daily lives so that we can have a culture of discipleship others would aspire to imitate. Your mission is our identity, and your joy should be our culture. In Jesus’ name, Amen.