Every day “life happens,” and we are faced with choices on how we respond to those circumstances. The positive and/or negative attitude we allow multiples and we begin to dig a pit or build a mountain one scoop of dirt at a time.
What do I mean?
Every time we choose to have a poor attitude, we take our shovel and begin to dig. Over time, we look up from deep in our pit of negativity and wonder how we got there. We got there one negative attitude, one negative thought, one shovel full at a time. The pit becomes comfortable and our new normal. We begin to see all of life from the bottom of the pit.
Thankfully, the opposite is true as well. When we choose a positive attitude, we take our shovel full of positivity and begin to build a mountain that provides a higher perspective. Over time, it becomes easier and more comfortable to choose positivity and joy because we have built a foundation that allows us to see above our current circumstances and remember how God has been faithful in the past. So how do we build a mountain? The same way we dig a pit — one shovel full at a time.
Positivity and joy are developed as we learn to recognize God’s faithfulness and goodness despite the pain around us.
Some things to consider about attitude:
- My attitude says more about my perspective than the condition of my circumstances
- My attitude will communicate what I’m actually feeling in my heart
- My attitude is a choice and I will either build a mountain or dig a pit
- My attitude can always be redeemed, and I can start filling in my pit now
Start building a new mountain in your life. Start choosing a new story. Start living in the goodness of God. Start seeing above your current circumstances and living through God’s faithfulness.
A prayer
Father God, today help us see your goodness and favor in spite of our current circumstances. Help us to build new mountains that remind us your faithfulness. Help us rise above what we see before us and live a new heavenly perspective bathed in your goodness. Help us trust what we cannot see, feel or touch. Create in us a new heart surrendered to your goodness. We love you. Bring your favor, goodness and power. Amen.
Verses I pray through regularly to build mountains in my life:
- Proverbs 15:13: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
- Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
- Isaiah 61:1-3: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
