You’ve heard the expression “wearing your feelings on your sleeve.” These days, many people apparently wear them on their T-shirts.
On our recent trip, I was up early in the Hampton Inn lobby writing a blog post. When the breakfast bar opened, a large, gruff-looking man—who looked like he could hunt bears with a stick—entered the room. He was wearing a T-shirt with wording that made me do a double-take.
I Don’t Like Morning People
Or Mornings
Or People
No, I didn’t take a picture. Nor did I approach him to see whether it was a joke or whether he really meant what the shirt said.
But I couldn’t help thinking that the T-shirt reflected the spirit with which many people approach life.
It reminded me of the old phrase, “Your attitude is showing.”
I’m guessing Mr. Gruff, anti-morning, anti-people man, hasn’t spent much time thinking about that.
Attitude is one of the most basic qualities of a person, reflected in every aspect of life—work, home, community, and spiritual relationships.
While the word “attitude” is not often found in most English translations, the concept is present from Genesis to Revelation. From Adam and Eve’s attitude toward God’s commandments, to Joseph’s response to the twists and turns of life, to Paul’s outlook in every circumstance, Scripture continually emphasizes attitude.
The Bible offers this exhortation to Christians who have put off the old person of sin and put on the new self: “Be renewed in the attitude of your minds” (Eph. 4:23).
Attitude is our outlook, disposition, point of view, or mental frame of reference toward people, situations, and circumstances. It’s an inward feeling expressed through outward behavior, either verbal or nonverbal. We’ve all seen little children who don’t get their way display their displeasure with a pouty look and a jutted jaw.
Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar was right when he wrote, “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
Consider these important truths that make attitude vital not only to our overall success and happiness, but also to our spiritual development.
1. Your Attitude Determines Your Approach to Life
William James, sometimes called the father of modern psychology, observed, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”
Our lives are often shaped by what our thoughts and attitudes make of them.
Jesus Christ is our great example of the right attitude toward life. In fact, the Bible admonishes, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).
The text continues to describe Jesus’ attitude as submissive, selfless, sacrificial, servile, and spiritual. When you explore the biographies of Jesus’ life, those attitudinal attributes become obvious.
2. Your Attitude Forms Your Character
This idea has been expressed in various ways by leaders in different fields through the years.
Essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson opined, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
Indian political leader Mahatma Gandhi once said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
And the German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein observed, “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.”
Bitter thoughts eventually produce bitter lives. Noble thoughts help shape noble character.
All of these secular writers agree with the Biblical statement of the ancient wise man: “As a man thinks in his heart so he is” (Prov. 23:7).
3. Your Attitude Impacts Your Relationships with Other People
Simple observation of our own relationships—and those of others—confirms this truth.
Life is about people, relationships, and daily interaction. From family life to our profession to our social connections and certainly our spiritual fellowship, our attitude affects every relationship we have.
Applying two Bible principles will greatly enhance all your relationships.
Practice the Golden Rule: “However you want people to treat you, so treat them” (Matt. 7:12).
And apply the Second Great Commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39).
Our 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, was correct when he said, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
A lot of folks need “a check-up from the neck up.” How about you?
Take a few minutes today to review your attitude. Resolve to reshape it in Christ’s image. And daily decide to “be renewed in the attitude of your mind.”
While you may not be advertising it to the world, your attitude is showing.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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