WF Pride – July 28, 2014

Core Value: Positive Attitude and Passion for life and work

Chad Cottingham

Is it just me? Or do more and more people seem sad and depressed?  I go to the store and see people with heads down, rarely engaging in conversation, and looking mad at the world.  No one seems happy.  Why?   I understand bad things happen – I’ve lived through many.  I understand life isn’t easy – no one ever said was going to be. There’s so much negativity, so much complaining.

So how do we change this ever growing problem? It comes down to our attitude.  Charles Swindoll, a great Christian author and speaker, says it best and I’ve included it below.  I have it laminated and posted in my office – it has been for over 12 years. I try to live by it daily.

Attitude by Charles Swindoll

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  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.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company…a church…a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and this is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”

I truly believe that a positive attitude for life is a choice!  We can choose to be happy.  We can choose to love life each day. We can choose to smile in spite of our circumstances.  And most importantly we can choose true happiness in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is only where true happiness exists.  Now, don’t get me wrong, being a follower of Christ does not make things easy.  It does not take our problems away.  What it does is give us hope and promise for the future.  James 1:2-4 ~ Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. ~ NLT

Challenge:  What attitude will you carry with you this week?  Will others see your passion for life and work?

“Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help our attitudes be honoring and glorifying to Your name.  Help us choose an attitude that uplifts and encourages others – even in the storms of life.  Let our passion for life, work, family and for You shine daily.   Don’t let us get caught in the rut of negativity and complaining that so easily ensnares us.  It’s in Jesus name I pray…Amen.”