“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. {9} What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
As we reach the end of 2022 most of us are looking back on the year that was. Would you describe 2022 as a good year for you and your family? Or was it a bad year filled with pain and disappointment? Or do you sort of feel indifferent towards it? “Meh.”
How we view the past year likely depends upon a number of factors:
1. The actual events which occurred.
2. How these events relate to past experiences — both positive and negative.
3. Our attitude.
And that last one is the most important one of all! Our attitude shapes our perceptions of events and also influences our response to those events. Which, when you look at it, means that our attitude is the most important factor in life in terms of determining outcomes.
As Brian Tracy states:
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”
Yes!
Think about it: two people are laid off from their job on the same day. One has the attitude of, “I know God has something better planned for me. I’m going to get out there and see what that might be!” The other thinks to himself, “This is the worst thing that could have ever happened to me! I don’t understand. Why now? Why me?”
Guess which person is more likely to shake off their bad experience and go on to experience fulfillment and success in another job?
It’s not hard to figure out.
Zig Ziglar used to say: “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
There are certain ingredients which go into the making of a good attitude. In his article, “The Characteristics of a Positive Attitude” (www.classroom.com), Chris Black lists four.
1. Optimism
He says,
“Optimism doesn't mean ignoring your problems or denying the existence of adversity. Instead, an optimistic outlook allows you to deal with challenging situations more productively. …Instead of telling yourself ‘There's no way it will work,’ tell yourself, ‘I can try to make it work.’”
2. Acceptance
Sometimes things just don’t work out. It’s part of living in a broken world. We must learn to accept this. As someone said, “Life is about Plan ‘B’.” Yes it is.
3. Resilience
Resilience is about getting back up when you have fallen. As soon pointed out, the only reason any of us ever learned to walk is that we got up up one more time than we fell.
And we’re not alone in this! God goes with us every day (Hebrews 13:5). He can lead us from “setback to comeback”.
4. Gratitude
Gratitude transforms how we see our life. It opens our eyes to the work of God in our life. This, in turn, inspires hope and deepens our trust in God.
To Black’s list, let me add one thing: faith. In fact, there is such a thing as an “attitude of faith”.
In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul shows us how an attitude of faith can change how we view even the most difficult moments this side of eternity.
“It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, {14} because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. {15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. {16} Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. {18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)
Paul went through some difficult times. Yet, when he looked back, he considered them but “light and momentary troubles” that could not compare with the “eternal glory” awaiting him in heaven.
This was the result of his attitude of faith!
I don’t know what we will experience in the coming year. But I know this: when we look back, Lord willing, in December 2023 on the year that was, our attitude will shape how we define that experience. And there is no more powerful attitude than an attitude of faith! Let your faith shape both how you perceive and how you respond to things in the new year.
As William James stated:
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.”
Amen.