Attitude is Everything
by Diana Scothorn
When I received the love of Jesus, all His blessings were available for me to possess. It’s our option to accept the fullness of all God has given us, and the choice is ours alone.
I’ve had many opportunities to have a bad attitude and walk away or give up due to life’s disappointments, as we all have.
Disappointment will try to define and shape our destiny. It’s not easy to decide that, despite circumstances, we will trust Jesus, because our disposition and attitude should reflect our trust in Jesus.
I can vividly remember the devastation I felt when I discovered…
…my previous marriage was not founded on the rock but sinking under the heavy rock of deception.
Betrayal is one of the most challenging emotions to keep grounded, but Jesus demonstrates the attitude we should maintain when Judas betrayed him.
Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples that had spent time daily forming a friendship and was once a trusted disciple.
Mark 14:44 tells us, “And he (Judas) that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.”
Judas wanted Jesus to believe he kissed him on the cheek as an act of love when it was an act performed by Judas to identify Jesus to have him arrested.
When we are betrayed by a spouse or friend, or business partner, we have been given a “Judas kiss.” It’s an act appearing to be an act of friendship or love that is, in fact, meant for our harm. Despite the betrayal, Jesus remained unmoved by the need to justify his position.
I had every reason to walk away with a bitter attitude after the news of my betrayal. I could have justified my attitude and actions because of my husband’s acts of defiling our wedding vows. However, two justified rights don’t make it suitable or remotely alright to have a bitter attitude. Our attitude reflects our trust in Jesus.
When I chose to serve God with a trusting heart, my attitude began to birth hope within my heart, just as Jeremiah 29:11 promises, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ‘”
We don’t have to feel like doing a particular thing; to obey God. We base our decision on our love for Him, not our negative situation and emotions. Romans 8:28 states that God works out all things for our good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. “ALL THINGS” gave me comfort and reassurance I would be alright.
It means that no matter the circumstance, there are only two qualifiers for God to work all things together for our good.
- We must love God enough to trust Him with our outcome.
- Believe God at His word that we are called according to His purpose.
He will cause everything to work out in our favor because although our circumstances may have changed, His purpose for our life remains the same. As we trust God with our outcome, He will begin to shift perspectives in our hearts.
I had to learn to give Him my heart at the onset of hurt. The release of pain is the essential key to living in victory, because any severe wound, unattended, will never heal. It’s a seed forming bitterness and resentment, and ultimately we’re left a broken vessel unless we make the choice to release the pain and trust Him.
The devil is intentional about destruction. He wants our lives, businesses, and hearts broken into a million pieces with no hope of ever piecing them back together.
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus came to give us hope for an abundant life, and He’ll cause rivers to flow in the desert, hope to the hopeless situation, healing to the wounded, and comfort to the lonley. He takes every fragmented piece of our life and makes it whole.
When I intentionally decided to be joyful, despite pressure coming against me, I found a good attitude was worth the effort to reach my final destination.
The attitudes of our hearts determine the altitude of our life. We can choose a lousy attitude producing lack in our life, or a cheerful attitude producing joy, which creates peace and happiness in our life!
It’s up to us to choose a good or bad disposition. We individually choose the altitude of our life. Up or down, it’s up to us to choose our final destination!
~Diana
Diana Scothorn published author of “Daily Dose with Diana“, has a heart for helping women succeed, with a focus on a strong, spiritual, mental, and physical core. Diana’s background in the health and fitness world began with one of the most iconic names in fitness, Richard Simons. Overseeing ladies’ health clubs for 10-plus years allowed Diana to step into a passion for marketplace ministry even before ministering the gospel in business was widely accepted.
She’s been married to her prince charming, Stewart, going on 12 years, and they enjoy spending time with their 4 kids and 8 grandchildren. Both are ordained ministers of the Gospel, serve on the board of several well-known ministries, and are also co-owners of, The Benefit Link, Inc., a marketplace ministry business, which has been number one in the field for over 25 years and is licensed in all 50 States, serving senior citizens in need of compassion, prayer, and guidance when facing the challenges of the Medicare maze.
Diana’s been featured in Society Magazine’s Successful Business Women of the Year for 2018, 2019, and 2020. As an international speaker, Diana has traveled abroad for over 10 years, along with her husband, to help support missions throughout Europe and South America, focusing on funding the Kingdom and advancing the gospel.
Connect with Diana on Instagram and Facebook, where she has “Diana’s Daily Devotionals” encouraging and inspiring women to live daily in victory.
