There are so many times we are around people that when you ask them how they are doing they will tell you, not leaving out any detail about their aches, pains, or troubles. Many want everyone to know if they are not feeling well or having a bad day. It seems that when they are hurting or having pain they want you to share their troubles with them.
Please don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with sharing your pain or troubles and many of us want to hear about them so we can help, encourage and pray for and with them to continue fighting to overcome their troubles.
I recently attended the funeral of a friend of mine who had battled cancer for many years. He was a fighter, an encourager, and never did you hear him speak about his ailments unless you specifically ask him about it. Whenever you asked how he was doing his answer would always be, “I am going to be just fine.”
This man was in his 80’s when the Lord called him home. I met him through our church and I cannot remember if I ever heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He was always very pleasant and had a smile on his face and he spoke encouraging words to me many times about life and how good it is to be part of it. When he became sick and anyone would ask him how he was doing he always gave the same answer, “I am going to be just fine.”
His attitude about life was great. He understood that life on earth was going to be short and that we should always look forward to the day when we will join Jesus in Paradise. His example as a family man, father, and a husband is one that we all could learn from.
The Bible says in Philippians 2:5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “attitude” means “an internal position or feeling with regard to something else.” This speaks to our disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale.
Most of us have good attitudes or bad attitudes and these affect those around us. Our outward appearance and demeanor will display which of our attitudes that we are carrying that day. Bad attitudes are negative, critical, impatience, rudeness, discouragement, arrogance, self-centered, etc. Good attitudes are demonstrated by being positive, encouraging, loving, humble, selfless, loyal, considerate, etc.
If we follow Christ’s example and submit our thoughts through Him, we will have an attitude that will become a matter of faith and we will disregard our feelings. When we do this we will embrace God’s outlook and disposition.
My friend understood this and lived a Godly life through his words and his actions. When he answered to how he was doing he understood that by saying “I am going to be just fine,” meant that whatever the outcome when his final day arrives he would be with Jesus. What a great outlook and attitude to have. Have you checked your attitude lately?
