Bad Attitude / Good Attitude Does it REALLY Matter? (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

To grow spiritually, we must: Accept God’s challenge to grow - 2 Peter 3:18 Believe that with God’s help we WILL be able to obey His command to grow - Philippians 4:13 Set goals for obtaining success: Develop a Christ-like character-2 Peter 1:5-8 Understand your role and function in the body - Romans 12:3-5.

Carnegie Institute: Executives hire potential employees based on… Availability Adaptability Ability Appearance Attitude

Carnegie Institute: Executives hire potential employees based on… Availability - 5% Adaptability Ability Appearance Attitude

Carnegie Institute: Executives hire potential employees based on… Availability - 5% Adaptability - 5% Ability Appearance Attitude

Carnegie Institute: Executives hire potential employees based on… Availability - 5% Adaptability - 5% Ability - 10% Appearance Attitude

Carnegie Institute: Executives hire potential employees based on… Availability - 5% Adaptability - 5% Ability - 10% Appearance - 10% Attitude

Carnegie Institute: Executives hire potential employees based on… Availability - 5% Adaptability - 5% Ability - 10% Appearance - 10% Attitude - 70%

Bad Attitude / Good Attitude Does it REALLY Matter? (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Dangers of a Negative Attitude Spying out the Land of Canaan of Israel (Numbers 13). 10 out of the 12 did not believe they could take the land of Canaan (Num. 13:25-27). The negative attitudes of some discouraged the rest of Israel (Num. 13:31-Num. 14:4). Their negative attitude led Israel to complain and rebel against God- (Num. 14:3; Deut. 1:25-27). It prompted them not to believe in God (Deut. 1:28-33). What was the end result of their negative attitude (Num. 14:26-28; Deut. 1:34-40)?

Dangers of a Negative Attitude When negative attitudes are allowed to develop: We stop believing in God and the ability He has blessed us with. We discourage others. Pessimism spreads as cancer, and tempts others to complain and rebel against God. It prompts us not to believe in God. What then will be the result of our negative attitude?

Value of a Positive Attitude As illustrated in the book of Nehemiah, with the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem: Nehemiah led the charge for rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem in the face of opposition and ridicule (Neh. 4:1-3). They knew they had God on their side, they depended upon Him, and they had a mind to work (Neh. 4:4-6)!! Nehemiah, along with the rest of God’s people, would encounter more resistance. But their faith, and their proper mindset to continue working, allowed for them to achieve their goal (Neh. 6:15-16)!

Value of a Positive Attitude WHEN WE MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: We will continue to believe in God and our ability to serve Him! We will keep trying our best to do what God wants us to do! We will encourage those around us -- and overcome those who would try to discourage us!! We will obtain the goals that God has placed before us!

How to Maintain a Positive Attitude CHOOSE to be positive! CHOOSE to rejoice when difficult times come (Jam. 1:2-4; Rom. 12:12). “The last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances” (Victor E. Frankl - Survivor of Holocaust). Block out negativity (Phil. 2:12-13, 4:13). Put YOUR mind to work (Gal. 6:7-9; 1 Tim. 4:15-16).

How to Maintain a Positive Attitude Avoid negative people (1 Cor.15:33). CHOOSE to surround yourself with people who refresh your spirit, not discourage it (Heb. 10:24; 1 Cor. 16.17-18; Acts 4:36, 11:22-24). Live in the present, with an eye to the future (1 Tim. 1:12-15; Phil. 3:12-14; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Have a positive attitude about YOUR spiritual growth! God is always ready and willing to help us grow! He provided us with all the tools to aid in our growth! He designed the church to provide an environment conducive to our growth! Our labor will not be in vain, nor will it go unnoticed! And even when we stumble, HE provides forgiveness (1 John 1:9)!

Bad Attitude / Good Attitude Does it REALLY Matter? (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)