Monthly Archive

I occasionally teach a baseball elective at Oasis Elementary School here at the Children’s Home in Oaxaca, Mexico. I finished up a class last week and made out the grades. Before the elective begins, the principal, Abby, gives the teachers a form for the grades and what the kids are to be graded on. To get a good grade the students have to show responsibility and a good quality of work. They must cooperate, listen and pay attention. They must also have a good attitude. I think having a good attitude is the most important.

I found an article in Spanish on the internet that I had my students read. It listed things that can help people have a good attitude; things like getting sufficient rest, dreaming, always remember that tomorrow is another day, be positive and developing friendships with people who have good attitudes. I thought these were all good ideas, but then it struck me that the most important thing one needs to have a good attitude, or at least that I need to have a good attitude, is God! God was not on the list!

Why do I say God is necessary to have a good attitude? I’m glad you asked. Below are ten verses from the Bible that help me to develop a good attitude. They are from God’s Word and most are about our relationship with God.

1. The LORD is good and his love endures forever. Psalm 100:5        God created you, me and the entire universe. He is powerful and good and he loves us. If we give that a long think and we can’t help but have a good attitude.
2. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1       A thankful heart is a happy heart. When we think of all good things God has given us and thank him for them, we will not only have a happy heart, but a happy attitude.
3. Come let us sing for joy to the LORD. Psalm 95:1        When I’m feeling a bit frustrated or upset, I sing a song of praise to God and my frown is turned upside down. Try it for an effective attitude changer.
4. Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Matthew 6:33         Having right priorities results in right attitudes. Putting God first in our lives puts us on the path of maintaining a good attitude.
5. Do not worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:34         Worrying about the future is a good attitude killer. Our heavenly Father has everything under control. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future!
6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Submit to him and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6        God doesn’t ask us or expect us to understand why bad things happen to us sometimes, but he does want us to trust him in the tough times. Knowing that he is walking alongside us goes a long way towards a good attitude.
7. Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the LORD and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2         The word “blessed” is often translated as happy.  Meditating as much as possible on God’s Word will fill us with the Truth and lead to a bright outlook and happy attitude.
8. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3,4      When we are feeling down, depressed and blue, nothing helps improve the attitude than helping others, especially those who may be more blue than you.
9. All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28      No matter what happens to turn our attitudes south, if we remember and focus on our loving God and that he promises to take our sour lemon experiences and somehow, someway, make lemonade out of them and that results in a sweet attitude.
10. Our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18      We all suffer at some point and it’s not conducive to having a super attitude, but thinking of the Glory of heaven and one day being in the immediate presence of our Savior who will wipe away every tear and heal every hurt, can change our outlook and our attitudes.

These verses have helped adjust my attitude through the years and I hope they help you have a happy, healthy attitude. Get an A+ in the grade book of Life!