Attitudes - part II

Let's continue to talk about reasons why some people live with a bad attitude:

The next one might surprise you - but it's true: sin.

sin in our lives. We are embarrassed that we did something or frustrated that we can't quit a bad habit or discouraged about ourselves because we did sin. Paul said, "that which I don't want to do I do and that which I do I don't want to do."

Some say, "Why even try? I'm going to fail anyway."

Criticism is another one. Everyone of us has experienced someone saying something hurtful to us. And if our attitude is not right we can try to strike back at them which never pays. Here's what I know: Whatever you do in life - there will be someone who will criticize.

These people are like the man who gathered with many others at the Hudson River to see the first steamship launched. He kept saying, "They'll never get her going. They'll never get her going." But they did. The steamship belched and moved out fast. Immediately the same man said, "They'll never get her stopped. They'll never get her stopped."

I love the Chinese proverb that states, "man who says it cannot be done," should not interrupt man who is doing it."

Discouragement can cause me to live with a bad attitude.

Liken Elijah we can find ourselves sitting underneath a juniper tree thinking that we are the only one serving God; the only one faithful.

Until God comes along and has to finally break through that place of discouragement
and say, "Wait a minute, many others are serving me as well."

Finally, fear of failure. You can become so gripped with the idea that you might fail that you sit in the dugout of life sucking your thumb - afraid to pick up the bat and go out and swing at the ball because you might strike out. The motto of the person who fears failure is, "If at first you don't succeed, destroy all the evidence you even tried."

More tomorrow....