Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Zig Ziglar
An Act of the Will
We are not helpless victims of our circumstances which cause us to do things that are beyond our control. In other words, we have a responsibility to work, raise a family, serve in a church, or any number of things, but we must choose to do these things in the right spirit. If we choose to serve but don’t have a good attitude about it, we’re only fooling ourselves and probably others too. I know; I’ve done that.
What You Think You Are
I heard one philosopher put it this way; we’re not who we think we are; it’s who people think we are. I’m not so sure about that, but I do know, as a man or woman thinks, so they are (Prov 23:7). That’s what the proverbs teach. You could put it this way; you’re not what you think you are; what you think, you are. That’s why it’s so important to choose wisely what we put into our minds through music or movies.
A State of Mind
While Paul was in prison, he wrote to the Philippians, in what many consider “The Joy Epistle” or the Book of Philippians. He wrote that while being in a deep, dark dungeon and not knowing how long he’d be there. How can such joy erupt in a Roman prison? It is truly the work of the Spirit of God and how Paul learned to be content in all things, or to be content with God, wherever he was and in whatever state he was.
Conclusion
The late Zig Ziglar, in writing “your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude,” meant that we have a choice in how we feel. We can choose to have a good attitude, even when we don’t feel like it, but whatever we put into our minds will impact our attitude, so learn to be content as Paul did, and he had lots of opportunities to practice contentment. A great aptitude is not as great as a great attitude.
