Is Attitude Really Everything?
In the tapestry of life, a mere 10% consists of what happens to us, and a staggering 90% depends on how we respond. The attitude we embrace can make a colossal difference. It can either lift us to soar like eagles or cause us to wallow in the depths of our challenges. This concept is not just theory; it was a vivid, lived reality for my church community during the bleak recession of 1983.
Amidst Adversity
Back then, while I was preparing my weekly newsletter, the local economy was in a sharp decline. Job shortages and uncertainty led to a mass exodus from our area, epitomized by bumper stickers reading, “Last one out, turn off the lights!” Despite the outward flux and significant income loss, our congregation’s attendance remained remarkably stable. Over four years, although over 200 people left, our numbers stayed consistent, highlighting a fundamental insight: People, not pocketbooks, are the true priority.
”Last one out, turn out the lights!”
A Lesson in Resilience
Despite these dire circumstances, it was our collective attitude that shaped our future. Instead of succumbing to despair, we chose to adopt a perspective of resilience and hope. This shift in mindset wasn’t mere optimism; it was a strategic move to strengthen our spirit and community bonds. We realized that our response to the recession—our 90%—could significantly impact our experience and outcome of the situation.
We deliberately evolved into a sending church, embracing our role much like the Antioch church in Acts 13:3, which sent Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. The Antioch believers could have clung to their key leaders, lamenting, “We need these talented people here… they’re too valuable to be spared!” Instead, they chose to send them out to fulfill God’s work. This magnanimous act encapsulated the powerful spirit of their attitude towards apparent loss.
What a profound lesson for us! Great churches, we learned, are marked not only by the individuals they welcome but also often by those they let go. This does bring pain, but it’s tempered by the trust that God knows best. The choice is ours: either honor God and send forth individuals with a royal farewell, celebrating their future contributions, or diminish our spiritual mission by focusing on our sacrifices.
Positivity in Commitment
Another choice was ours: what we could not change (our circumstances) we chose to commit. Worry is calculating without God. We committed our way and our worry to God, and discovered that the things that troubled us He would work out in His own time.
When tempted to say, “Lord, this isn’t what we had in mind,” we reminded ourselves that commitment means no strings attached. Don’t just tie up your problems with string, then trip over the string!
The Grace of God
The grace of God is greater than the grief of life. Our prayer must not be for easy lives; but for God-empowered lives which become purposeful by His grace. Through commitment, positivity, and divine empowerment, we endure and surpass the trials set before us. The Apostle Paul underscores this in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
“Keep the lights on, I’m staying!”
Through newsletters, sermons, and community meetings, we encouraged one another to view the challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities for growth and renewal. This approach did not change the harsh realities overnight, but it transformed how we faced our daily trials. We were not just passive observers of our fate but active participants in shaping our destiny.
Slowly, the tide began to turn. As our attitudes shifted, so did our realities. The community that once seemed on the brink of dissolution found new ways to thrive. People started supporting local businesses more, and new opportunities for employment gradually emerged. The narrative of despair was rewritten into one of empowerment and collective effort. Evidence of this change began when a new bumper sticker appeared: “Keep the lights on; I’m staying!”
Years have passed since those challenging times, but the lesson remains timeless: attitude is just about everything. Whether we face personal struggles, professional setbacks, or global crises, the choice of how we respond holds immense power. By choosing positivity and resilience, we can navigate even the toughest of times, not merely survive but thrive.
In conclusion, remember that while we cannot always control the 10% of life that happens to us, we are fully in charge of the 90% that is our response. Let’s choose attitudes that elevate, empower, and transform, whatever the circumstance might be.
