Today’s Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you
Viktor Frankl, the bestselling author and renowned psychology professor, had been on the brink of death and back. Frankl was a survivor of the Holocaust. Like many others, he was taken from his home and subjected to absolutely dehumanising conditions. Once, he was brought into a Nazi court trial stark naked, stripped of his clothes, his identity and his dignity. But he survived these ordeals and went on to become a respected voice in the world. Asked how he managed to hold up through it all he said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: To choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances is to choose one’s way.”
Indeed, our attitude is the greatest asset we have. The good news is, we can choose it. External forces or circumstances can attempt to influence our attitude, but they cannot choose it for us. No matter how far up we have gone, we can go higher by keeping a good attitude. Likewise, no matter how far beneath we have fallen, we can rise to better heights with the right attitude. This was what William James understood when he said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”
One simple definition of attitude is: a settled way of thinking or feeling typically reflected in a person’s behaviour. It is agreed that our actions determine the results we get out of life. What we must also keep in view is that our actions are the direct results of how we think and feel. This is why we need to constantly re-evaluate our attitude. It is often the bridge between where we are and where we desire to be. Self awareness is important in this regard. We must be conscious of our habits of mind and how they influence our feelings and actions.
We can borrow a leaf from Paul’s advice to Timothy as seen in our opening scripture: take heed to yourself and to your doctrine. In other words, pay attention to your behaviour and the principles that influence it; pay attention to your attitude. It is by continuing in a good attitude that we will find deliverance for ourselves in every area of life and be of significance to the world around us. So today, pay attention to your attitude. Everything depends on it. Your circumstances are not the determinant of your success or failure, your attitude is. We must take out time, now and again, to review how in line with the Bible our thinking and behaviour is. The Holy Spirit will help you in this regard, even as you call on Him today, in Jesus’ name.
Memorise & Meditate:
“Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.” Proverbs 20:11
Prayer & Confession:
Help me, Father, to keep the right attitude at all times. Help me to take my eyes away from my circumstances and work on my attitude. Work in me to will and to do according to Your good pleasure, Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
