Someone once said, “Attitude determines altitude.” Indeed, attitude is imperative to overcoming adverse situations. If a person declares, “I can’t” at the onset of a challenge, then he is already defeated. Although the outcome of his situation may not be as terrible as he expected, he will receive little joy in the blessing. An “I think I can” attitude, however, fosters true victory.
When people face incredible odds, it is their impenetrable positivity that is most detrimental to their outcome. Some may fight through incurable diseases to live extraordinary, above average lives. Some may face incredible loss of resources only to bounce back and reach the top. Others endure setbacks, limitations, and shortcomings to face life with joy. These people have an attitude of winning. They survive harsh realities because something in them refuses to quit. Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter in the Bible, is filled with the testimonies of such individuals. Regardless of their outcome, they were all considered over-comers. GOD called them victors because they had a “don’t quit” attitude and an unquenchable faith in the midst of their struggles.
It’s easy to look at a situation with retrospection and see all the reasons to be positive, but when the end of the story is not in sight, that is when true attitude is determined. A little girl from our church models this perfectly. She’s been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, yet she faces treatments, which offer little hope and no relief, with amazing positivity. She smiles. She giggles with the medical staff. She talks about Jesus. She squeezes life out of every moment while simultaneously flooding the world around her with sunshine and joy. She epitomizes an over-comer for her attitude does not falter with needles, stethoscopes, nausea, or fear of the unknown. She lives the Bible verse, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” even though she’s not old enough to read the passage for herself. In my opinion, her altitude is already mountain-height high.
When people face incredible odds, it is their impenetrable positivity that is most detrimental to their outcome. Some may fight through incurable diseases to live extraordinary, above average lives. Some may face incredible loss of resources only to bounce back and reach the top. Others endure setbacks, limitations, and shortcomings to face life with joy. These people have an attitude of winning. They survive harsh realities because something in them refuses to quit. Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter in the Bible, is filled with the testimonies of such individuals. Regardless of their outcome, they were all considered over-comers. GOD called them victors because they had a “don’t quit” attitude and an unquenchable faith in the midst of their struggles.
It’s easy to look at a situation with retrospection and see all the reasons to be positive, but when the end of the story is not in sight, that is when true attitude is determined. A little girl from our church models this perfectly. She’s been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, yet she faces treatments, which offer little hope and no relief, with amazing positivity. She smiles. She giggles with the medical staff. She talks about Jesus. She squeezes life out of every moment while simultaneously flooding the world around her with sunshine and joy. She epitomizes an over-comer for her attitude does not falter with needles, stethoscopes, nausea, or fear of the unknown. She lives the Bible verse, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” even though she’s not old enough to read the passage for herself. In my opinion, her altitude is already mountain-height high.
| The same is true for all who strive to overcome. They put on blinders to the dictates of situations and circumstances, and they focus on possibilities. Jesus did this as well. “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.” He didn't faint beneath our sin and the pressure of death because his attitude was one of victory. An over-comer looks beyond the external, the labels, the “bad” and chooses to see the good. He reacts from a place of internal peace, hope, and joy. His perseverance, endurance, and vision are steps upward enabling him to climb to a height not measured by distance, but by outlook. This pinnacle that stretches far above vistas of the ordinary is something everyone would like to experience, but it is reserved for those with the extraordinary attitude, those who chose to overcome. |  |
 | Tip/Tidbit: Please join me in prayer this week for Emily Judice. |
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