episode 05. ATTITUDES & GRATITUDE

who do we follow? thelawdsway

Attitudes | Gratitude

In this post, we’re going to look into the aspects of attitudes and gratitude through the topics of attitude influences behaviour and gratitude is a choice.

ATTITUDE INFLUENCES BEHAVIOUR

I want to start this topic off with these two phrases:

“When it is your personal testimony no one can question your faith.”

and

“Wrong thinking will keep you from your destiny.”

Our mind and the demeanour that we develop as we go through each day plays a part in the behaviour that we consume for that day, and the overall behaviours that we have made ourselves accustomed to. Whether these mind acts had been intentional or unintentional, it has made an effect on how we put our thoughts into actions. Before I go any further, let’s strip back the layers of this topic and outline the meaning of the words, attitude, influence, and behaviour.

Definitions

Attitude: a settled way of thinking or feeling about something; a position of the body indicating a particular mental state; the individuality that we possess that examines the level in which we have acquired self-confidence, self-esteem.

Influence: the capacity to have the effect on the character, development or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself. It is the power to shape policy or ensure favourable treatment for someone.

Behaviour: the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others. The way in which a person behaves in response to a particular situation or stimulus. It’s the way one performs or functions.

Message

The most common theme I gather from the definition of the words attitudes, influences and behaviour is this concept of subjectivity. It all describes the traits of one individual. It is not something that we are born with or develop as a collective but as an individual. I guess it’s because how these three words forms the basis of our identity. It forms who we were, who we are and who we will be. The built up of our identity is controlled by the subjectivity that we outpour onto and into ourselves. It’s because of this subjectivity that we behave how we do. That our frame of mind in a certain environment influences how we act. That our reactions to situations and events processes the attitude that we have towards such situation and/or event.

Going back to the two phrases I began this topic with.

“When it is your personal testimony no one can question your faith.”

and

“Wrong thinking will keep you from your destiny.”

Our past, present, future, the extent of our personal development, professional progression, the growth of our frame of mind and actions are all controlled by our attitude influenced by our behaviours. That is why you got to have a good frame of mind as what we think is relayed in the attitude, we show to ourselves and others in the physical form.

No one can question your faith when it comes to your personal testimony as you live with the right frame of mind and carry the right characteristic traits.

The only person that has the ability to truly question your faith that could lead to you pondering about it is yourself. Others can question your faith but when you are certain in yourself, they can’t control your mind. You may have acquired that ability to be sure within yourself against third party opinions but how far have you made the progress to be sure within yourself against your own doubts?

When you are thinking wrongfully about yourself, when you are behaving wrongly to yourself, how can you achieve your destiny when you are not even fighting for yourself?

Our attitude influences our behaviour.

It is the backbone of our individual blueprint. It is our character trait.

We need to make sure that the attitudes we are consumed with only influences the behaviour of growth, progression, commitment, consistency, determination, hard work, perseverance, and peace.

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GRATITUDE IS A CHOICE

Gratitude is a choice.

Acquiring gratitude symbolises the trait of being appreciative, grateful, and thankful. It can be difficult in ensuring we maintain this trait at all times, especially with the bricks life throws at us. Though we should maintain the effort of trying to acquire this trait. Gratitude is a choice in the sense of choosing to act graciously to yourself and others. Choosing to be thankful and appreciative when circumstances arise, even where it wasn’t the outcome we desired, as we know things will still work out just as we need it to be. Choosing to be appreciative of the little things, just as much as the big things.

It is a choice. You decide.

You have control of the decision to live in gratitude and I would urge you to choose this route and let the meaning of the word to become the perception that others have of you.

Having a heart of gratitude can be as simple as writing three good things that happened daily, keeping a gratitude journal, showing signs of gratitude to others who have been good to you by appreciating them. These are all acts that you can do to show your character trait of gratitude. Gratitude isn’t a complex thing to acquire, any of the things that I previously just mentioned can be the first step in shaping your character to have the trait of gratitude.

Gratitude is not being egotistical and having too much pride.

Gratitude is not the pursuit of belittling, mistreating and being discriminative to others.

Gratitude is the complete opposite.

Live a life of gratitude, be good to others, breathe life onto others, be appreciative of other people and remember, at the same time, to extend that same sense of gratitude to yourself.

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BIBLICAL REFERENCE

Philippians 2:5-6 CSB Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.

Romans 1:21 CSB For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Having the right attitude and being mindful to show gratitude is critical. We shouldn’t boast of ego or pride and be judgemental towards others in comparing the ‘extent’ of our walk in Christ against others. I use the word extent as everyone’s journey in building a personal relationship with God is subjective. There is no objective way in declaring this is how it should be. Note that I am not saying that we shouldn’t follow the way of the Bible, so this perspective shouldn’t be assumed. I say this from the viewpoint that everyone’s life story is different. How we meet God, where we meet God, when we meet God, who may help us to meet God and the why we meet God vastly differs against each other’s path and the life we have lived. So let us not judge but rather encourage as we ALL meet God, learn to love Him, obey Him and live for Him. On that accord, as we enter our journey in building our relationship with Christ, let us have a heart of gratitude and thanks as we grow and move further in fulfilling our destiny and life purpose.

Remember, Trust in the Lord, Love like the Lord and Walk with the Lord. TLW

who do we follow? thelawdsway