For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Corinthians 1:20). Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Do you see the cup half full or half empty? Our attitude in life determines our perspective and our success in God. The Apostle Paul kept a positive attitude in spite of the negative circumstances he encountered.
John Maxwell defines attitude as an inward feeling expressed by outward behavior.1 We show with our words, with our facial expressions, with our mannerisms, and with with our tone what we really feel inside. John Maxwell goes on to say: There is not a single part of your current life that is not affected by attitude. And your future will definitely be influenced by the attitude you carry with you from today forward 2.
Difficult circumstances are part of living in a fallen world and must be faced until we leave this planet for heaven. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
During times of great struggle, I have had to deal sternly with my attitude. To do this, I remind myself of the promises of God. His Word is forever settled in heaven. He watches over His Word to make it good.
During one particularly grueling test years ago, I found scripture that proved to help in keeping my attitude positive. Pour your heart out to God, detailing your current struggle, and how it makes you feel. Then don’t stop there. Take these scriptures that follow and make them yours. Resolve to move through the crisis at hand with God’s strength and oversight. If God be for you, then who can be successful against you? You and God make a majority!
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5).
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19)
But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him (Psalm 37:39-40).
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me (Psalm 50:15).
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea (Psalm 46:1-2).
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him (Psalm 91:14-15).
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32).
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).
See the cup half full today!
From The Maxwell Daily Reader by John Maxwell (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007) April 28, e-edition.
Ibid.