THEME: “TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST, TOUGH PEOPLE DO”
Read James 1:2-4
HAVING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
Key Verse: “Therefore brothers and sisters, “Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2-4).
Out attitude during tough times makes all the difference whether we can become a victor or victim to tough times. The difference between the children of Israel on one side and Joshua and Caleb on the other side was their attitude. The one believed it was not possible while the other thought it was possible. Attitude determined who eventually made it into the Promised Land and who did not make it.
It was Charles Swindoll who once said, “Attitude is everything.” He further said, “…The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we 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 the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so, it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
Combating tough times starts with a change in attitude or having a right or positive attitude to the crisis. This may mean deciding to remain calm and calculated to regain our composure and emotional stability during tough times.
James says we should count it all joy when we go through trials. How can this be? This can only happen when we embrace the same attitude that Christ had when he faced trials. “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
When Paul’s attitude to his trials changed, he then became joyful in his condition and faced his challenges differently. “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That is why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT).
PRAYER: Father, help me to work on my attitude so that I will have the right attitude to trials and difficulties.
