Have you ever run into a positive person? Their attitudes are contagious. They see the best in everything and everyone. Their words are encouraging and hopeful. They may not know everything but they know the God who does. I love “fountain” people. They bring refreshing everywhere they go.
What about a complainer? You know that person who finds fault everywhere they go. Nothing is good enough. Something is always wrong. All they pick out are the negative things about everyone. Gossipers, fault finders, and ungrateful people. They are the “drain” people. They drain the life right out of you.
Water flows. It was made to move. The wind catches it and there are waves and crests and currents. There is nothing more beautiful than looking out at the ocean as the waves roll in.
If the Holy Spirit is the wind – and Jesus is the living water within us – which way is the water flowing today?
I know I had to step back and distance myself from the “drain” people. That’s ok. That’s wisdom. In the past I used to “entertain” every spirit that came along. I tried to help everyone and fix everything. There was nothing more liberating in admitting I was not their Savior! I had to learn to say NO to the “drain” people and “YES” to the “fountain” people. Boundaries are good. They help me protect myself and what God has given me. Saying no to the “drain” people lets the Spirit flow in me!
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” – John 4:13-14 NKJV
Dear Lord, help me to be a Fountain and not a Drain!
As a man thinks, so he becomes. Have you ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? For example, someone way back when tells you a loser. You believe it. (even though it is not true). You start to act like a loser. You set yourself up for failure time and time again. The minute that things start to go well, you throw the other shoe first and quit. Just because you “know what will happen”. I find I have lived much of my life upon the thoughts and beliefs of what other people have told me – even though it isn’t true! Growing for me means confronting these lies, replacing it with the Truth of God, and taking back my life.
Do you ever think about what you are thinking about?
What if our attitude was the fuel for our journey?
Is your tank full or are you running on empty?
5 Ways to Fuel Your Attitude
1. Own it
Owning my attitude has helped me heal. It is empowering. All of a sudden my focus has shifted. When you own your attitude you own your life. People can be jerks, bit that is their choice, not mine. I can choose my attitude despite what they do or don’t do. There is freedom in not having to please people. Just be yourself, I like that.
I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:9b-10 NKJV
2. Open it
Renewing my mind with the Word has helped me think better. I get to choose what I want to put in there. If I have a poor self image I need to open my mind to the idea that whatever I am thinking may not be true. Just because I thought it was true doesn’t mean that it is. There are people that have tried to put false words over my life. For a time I believed them. Today I know they were lies that I have believed. Just because someone said it does not make it true either.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2 NIV
3. Change it
Admitting that I may need to change my thoughts on some things has helped me grow. It’s ok to make a new choice and change my mind. If I am reading the Word and drinking the fresh Living Word, then I should change my mind about some things!
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
4. Grow it
Giving myself room to grow and make mistakes along this journey has helped me become new. With this space comes the ability to reassess and reevaluate my choices. It’s ok if things didn’t work out. That just tells me it’s time for a new choice!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. – Psalm 32:8 NKJV
5. Enjoy it
Not having to know all the answers helps me enjoy my life. I trust my God to lead me, comfort me, and direct my steps. Making the choice to trust God is a daily thing with me. That’s ok. That’s where I am at today. God is faithful. Everytime I turn to Him He answers. Yes, my attitude can fuel my life. Today I am learning to rest in God’s plans for my life and not my own. I don’t need to know all the answers ahead of time. I know Him who has the answers! Life can be such an adventure!
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 1Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NKJV
I have found one thing to get me through the tough times. And it seems it is not the easiest thing to do. It is certainly not the first thought that comes to mind. Yet it helps me move forward when I am stuck.
“Thank You Lord”
Yeah. Finding one good thing in any situation turns my attitude around. I don’t want to be one of those people stuck out in the desert for 40 years. I am ready Lord – to enter the Promised Land with an Attitude of Gratitude! What are you grateful for today?
Psalm 107
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.[a]
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
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