Maintaining Our Attitude Even In The Midst Of Problems

Maintaining our attitude even in the midst of problems

Psalms 34:1-4

Introduction

There was a man who was flying in an airplane with his friend who was giving him some personal

flying lessons. So the man was looking at all the instruments but there was one in particular that

the pilot kept looking at and so he asked him what was it?

The pilot replied, that it is called the “Altimeter” which determines my altitude. In flying, the

altitude of the plane is what he called the position of the aircraft in relation to the horizon. When

the airplane is climbing it has a nose high altitude because the nose of the plane is pointed above

the horizon. So when the aircraft is diving you would call that a nose down altitude.

Since the performance of the airplane depends on its altitude, it is necessary to change the altitude

in order to change the performance.

Now after studying this information I began to think about this in relation to a persons attitude.

Does not a persons attitude dictate his performance. So I began to think that what if a person had

an attitude indicator that continually evaluates a persons perspective and achievements in life.

What happens when the attitude is dictating undesirable results? How can the attitude be

changed? And, if the attitude changes, what are the ramifications to other people around you?

But one thing that I have come to know that in every aircraft there is what is called a “Flying

Manual.” So we who are Christians have a operating manual and it is called the “Bible.”

The apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Philippi, placed before those Christians an attitude

indicator. He said in Philippians 2:5, “Have this mind (attitude) in yourselves which was also in

Christ Jesus.”

Christ gives us a perfect example to follow in regards to attitude. His high standard was not given

to frustrate us but to reveal areas in our lives that need improvement. Whenever I study

Philippians 2:3-8, I am reminded of the healthy attitude qualities that Jesus possessed.

Turn to Philippians 2:3-8

1. He was selfless: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind

let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for

your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Verse 4)

2. He was secure: “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with

God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being

made in the likeness of men.” (Verses 6,7)

3. He was submissive: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by

becoming obedient to the point of death, even death of a cross” (Verse 8)

Paul says that these qualities were exhibited in the life of Christ because of His attitude. He also

says that we can have the same attitude in our lives. We have a visual example of a Christian

attitude and we are also encouraged to attain it.

Romans 12:1,2

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy

sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be

conformed to this world, but be transformed (How) by the renewing of your mind, that you may

prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

But Attitude: What Is It?

Hardly a day passes without the word “Attitude” entering a conversation. It may be used as a

complaint or a compliment. It could mean the difference between a promotion or a demotion.

Sometimes we sense it, other times we see it. Yet it is difficult to explain.

The attitude is an inward feeling expressed by behavior. That is why an attitude can be seen

without a word being said.

The Bible teaches us that, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). “The heart is more deceitful than all else and

is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). These statements express our

inability to know for sure what emotions are going on inside someone else. Yet, while we refrain

from judging others by their outward expressions, many times the outward actions become a

“window to the soul.” A person who gives “a look that kills,” probably is not inwardly singing,

“Maybe God is trying to tell you something.”

Since an attitude often is expressed by our body language and by the looks on our faces, it can be

contagious. Have you noticed what happens to a group of people when one person, by his