Don’t we all believe we should have a good attitude? Yet, we often get through a day and think back “I wasn’t my best self today.” I’m not talking about our occasional off day. I’m talking about our day-to-day attitude. When was the last time you thought about it?
I believe a person’s attitude is extremely important as it shapes our reality and influences every aspect of our lives. Our attitude determines our perception and experience of reality. Two people can be in the same situation but have such different experiences based on their attitudes. A positive attitude opens you up to new opportunities and experiences while a negative attitude limits you.
- Attitude impacts behavior and attracts/repels others while positivity aids likability and success.
We all do this, don’t we? You see someone from afar and your attitude radar goes up. If it’s someone who is constantly negative about something, or someone you steer clear, but if it’s that person is sincerely a positive person that you feel good after spending a few minutes with her you are happy to approach her. Positive attitudes attract people!
- Attitudes shape beliefs, emotions, motivations, and actions.
Think about the person who is positive about that area of their life they are pursuing; they are pretty excited about it. That attitude makes you want to cheer her on and see her succeed with this idea she is pursuing! Positivity aids resilience. Now, think about that person who continually complains about how nothing is working it’s almost like you get to see firsthand how negativity breeds failure.
- Attitude affects physical/mental health.
Now picture that person who has a good attitude about her physical self-image. She may not be where she wants to be, but she is optimistic about her progress getting there. It has been shown positivity aids well-being. Now picture the person that is never happy about her self-image, she is constantly negative and you can see how it constantly causes her stress and unhappiness.
- Attitudes reflect values and identity.
Now picture a friend who is rooted in her values. She doesn’t have everything perfect but her positive attitudes about the progress she is making, even through setbacks, gives you the feeling that she is authentic and genuine; everything will work out for her.
Reflect back on the people we were visualizing in all of these scenarios. Were any of them you? Sometimes it’s healthy to take a step back and evaluate our attitudes in these scenarios.
These are some overall thoughts on attitude, now let’s look at it even deeper from a Christian perspective. Shouldn’t we be cultivating attitudes that reflect Christ-like qualities that will attract people rather than negative prideful judgmental attitudes that tend to repel people?
Here are some attitudes that attract:
Love and compassion
Joy and positivity
Humility and an attitude of serving
Peace and Patience
Integrity and authenticity
Here are some attitudes that repel:
Judgmentalism and self-righteousness
Hypocrisy
Anger and Negativity
Pride and Arrogance
One scripture sums it up! By embodying the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5;22-23) We can draw people to Christ through our witness. What a beautiful way to look at the world.
Now that we have talked about the need for a positive attitude, here are some practical things we can do to cultivate a more positive habit!
- What are you reading and listening to? I share this so often. Do take time in your mornings for reading the Bible? Look up the free app Abide, a two-minute Christian meditation. There’s also Our Daily Bread—which offers a free daily devotional. Write out your daily prayers in a prayer journal. What are you doing to deepen your relationship with the Lord? We reflect who we spend time with.
- Practice gratitude! Make it a daily habit of reflecting on things you are grateful for, no matter how small. Gratitude shifts your focus to positive aspects of your life. I share this all the time too. I have a grateful journal and take a few minutes every day to write in it!
- Reframe negative thoughts. Take every thought captive, like the scripture says 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” With the power of the Holy Spirit!
You know, when it comes down to it, our attitudes are so incredibly powerful! They shape how we see the world and interact with it. A positive, Christ-like attitude of love, joy, humility, and integrity draws people in and reflects the fruit of the Spirit. It opens doors, aids resilience, and is for our own wellbeing. On the flip side, a negative attitude full of judgment, anger, and pride pushes people away and limits our potential. As believers, we’re called to take our thoughts captive and reframe the negative ones. Be on purpose about nurturing an attitude of gratitude, spending time in God’s Word, and embodying qualities like compassion and gentleness, we can be a light that attracts others to the hope we have in Christ.
Our attitudes are a daily choice. So, why not choose the one that aligns with our values and identity in Him? It’s such a simple yet profound way to live out our faith.
Monette hosts a weekly podcast: Mornings with Monette. She has been a lifelong learner and and appreciates the opportunity to share what she has learned–both through her podcast and here at The Best-Life Project (based on the content of her weekly podcast). Her messages are raw, honest and straight from the heart. She lives in Albuquerque, NM with her husband Leland. They have three adult children and are enjoying living their best lives filled with travel and adventure.