In Charge Of My Attitude

Jul 9, 2022

I love David because he was always between a rock and a hard place in his life.

He was not a lot different than you and me, some of it from his own selfishness, and some because of His circumstances.

Like David, it doesn’t matter what temptation comes into our lives, but only how we respond to it.

My dad used to keep this quote on the bulletin board at our back door. Each day, he went into battle in obedience to God:

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

- Chuck Swindoll

When circumstances are the hardest, we can’t run to (or at) other people - we have to run to God. He is the only one faithful to bring us through our battles without dishonoring God. So let’s dig in.

In Psalm 60, David is asking for God’s help after suffering a huge battle loss. He starts recognizing his dependence on man rather than reliance on God, which led to defeat. He is mourning over the Israelites collective sin and praying for God to restore them. Verses 1-3:

You have rejected us, God and burst upon us; you have been angry--now restore us! You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. You have shown your people desperate times, you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

- Psalm 60:1-3

We are living in a fractured world. We know all too well families ripped apart because of opinions about decisions being made in our country. Week after week, I sit with people trying to figure out how to move forward with hearts that are severed and relationships destroyed.

It’s easy to think our enemy is a family member or a former friend. It’s not. The enemy is Satan, and he’s loving the hurricane we’re in!

In the midst of David’s battle loss, he focuses on God alone for comfort, relief, and guidance. We need to do the same. We may be tempted to go into battle with someone, but responding with love is God’s way. Romans 12:18 says:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

David, known as a man after God’s own heart, closes this Psalm in verses 11-12:

Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

- Psalm 60:11-12

Remember, our enemy is Satan, and when we respond to others in love, he loses and God wins! So I have an assignment for you. Do you have a relationship that is strained?