Your Attitude Can Make You or Break You

This picture gives a feeling of reflection, growth, and making a positive change, and choosing a better attitude.

Attitude. What is attitude? Attitude is your manner, disposition, feelings, or position toward a person or a thing. It can also be expressed through your posture and body language. The way you carry yourself, the way you speak, and the way you respond to others can reveal a great deal about your attitude.

Your attitude can either make you or break you. As a child of God, it is important that we examine the attitude we have toward others. Sometimes, you don’t have to say a word for people to know how you feel. Your facial expressions, the way you walk, the way you respond, and even the way you treat someone can speak louder than words.

When I was a child, I don’t remember hearing the word attitude used as often as I hear it today. Now, everywhere I look and listen, I hear about children having attitudes-children versus teachers, children versus parents, and children versus other adults. This causes me to ask: Why the attitude? Have we, as parents, teachers, and adults, somehow crossed a line or failed to listen to our children? What is causing so many young people to respond with anger, disrespect, or an unwillingness to listen?

But this isn’t just a question for children. What kind of attitude do you have? What motivates the way you respond to others? Do you think people enjoy being around you because of the way you treat them? Are you willing to take a moment and examine yourself and make a change where one is needed?

Having a good attitude doesn’t mean that everything in your life is going well. It means that even when things don’t go your way, you choose to respond in a way that honors God. You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. Leviticus 19:18 says,” Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.” How we treat our neighbors is connected to how we view and value ourselves. If we love others, we should treat them with kindness, patience, respect, and compassion.

So, who is your neighbor? Your neighbor is not only the person who lives next door. Your neighbor can be your brother or sister, your friend, your classmate, your teacher, your grandparent, your coworker, or anyone God places in your path. Jesus teaches us to treat others the way we would want to be treated. If you don’t want people talking about you, don’t talk about them. If you don’t want to be looked down upon, don’t look down on others. If you want people to show you kindness, be willing to show kindness to them. And remember, everyone is fighting a battle you may know nothing about. Instead of being quick to judge someone, ask God to help you respond with love and understanding. The people God places in your life may be there to teach you, guide you, encourage you, or even help you become the person He has called you to be.

Sometimes the greatest change we need isn’t in the people around us-it’s in us. Take a moment today and ask yourself: What kind of attitude do I have? Is my attitude pleasing to God: Am I treating others the way I want to be treated? If your attitude needs to change, don’t be ashamed to admit it. Ask God to help you. He can change your heart, your words, your reactions, and the way you see others.

Your attitude matters. Choose an attitude that reflects Christ.

Remember: Your attitude can either make you or break you. Choose wisely.