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Your Solutions or His?

When some people pray to God, they not only present their request to Him, they also instruct Him on how He is supposed to take care of it.  That sounds a little presumptuous and arrogant, don’t you think?  Of course no one would ever admit that they are engaged in ordering the Almighty around, but that’s really what they are doing.

Far too often we think that we see the only possible solution.  So, we petition God with our request, and add the solution to the prayer.  This is what I need, and this is how and when to get it done.  Have we forgotten that He is still God Almighty?

Remember the story in the Bible of the woman whose husband died leaving her and two sons with some debt?  In that culture, it was legal for the creditor to come and take away the two sons and have them work until the debt was paid off.  That scenario would of course been disastrous for the widow.

What Can She Possibly Do Now?

She needed money to pay that debt.  And again, in that culture, she couldn’t just go out and get a job.  She certainly was not going to get a “bail out” from the government!

So how was she to acquire the funds necessary to pay off the debt? The solution that God provided was so far outside of the nine dots that it is truly remarkable.  The man of God told her exactly what to do.

The only thing of value that she had was a little bit of olive oil in a cruse.  The first part of the solution was to borrow as many empty vessels as she could.  The second part of the solution was to then fill those empty vessels from her little cruse of oil.

The miracle was that she kept filling and filling until all the empty vessels were filled with oil.  The third part of the solution was to sell the oil.  The money she received was enough to pay all the debt, and, she had enough left over for her and her sons to live.

What About You?

Of course someone might say, “Well, that’s nice for her, but God would certainly never do something like that for me today.”  For those who choose to think that way and believe that way, they are right. He won’t.

Why do we choose to live outside of the supernatural?  Why do we dismiss the miraculous?  Why do we limit God by simply putting Him into a box that we have designed?

The God of the Bible is still today a God of unlimited resources and endless possibilities.  Do we believe that He has run out of His ability to provide solutions?  Do we propose that the only solutions He has are solutions that we can conceive?

Unfortunately, some people’s prayer life has become simply giving God orders.  These people tell God what the situation is, and then they tell Him how He is supposed to fix it.  And when He doesn’t comply, people get discouraged and think that He no longer answers prayers.

Stop Ordering Him Around!

We are instructed in Scriptures to tell God what our need is.  We are to let Him know our requests.  We are to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us.  But does it say we are to then tell Him how and when to answer?

It is always a great joy to me in my life when God answers a prayer in a way that I would have never considered.  Every time it happens I am reminded once again that God is almighty; He is a God of endless solutions and possibilities.

I’m not saying that God will always answer a prayer in a way that you would have never imagined.  But the point is, we need to let God be God and allow Him to do His part however He sees fit. Our part is to pray, to ask, and to let Him know what we need.  We pray and believe that He will answer our prayer.

If we truly believe and have confidence in God to answer our prayers, then we look for and expect an answer with patience.  We have our eyes open for possibilities and solutions that we may have never have even imagined.

No matter what situation you may be in, never doubt God’s ability.  He has unlimited resources.  He has solutions that you have never even dreamed of.  He is, after all, God Almighty.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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It’s Special

It’s a special day for me; for us.

41 years ago today, on a Saturday afternoon, Kathy and I stood before a Justice of the Peace in El Paso, Texas.  We both said, “I do.”

We ate at McDonald’s and stayed at Motel 6.  We went across the border and each bought a floppy leather hat and a pair of sandals.   The next day, we returned to Carlsbad, New Mexico, and on Monday we went back to work.

I have often told couples that it is not who performs your ceremony, where the wedding takes place, or even who attends.  What is most important is the commitment that you make to each other before God.

Yes, it would have been really great to have had a wedding with lots of family and friends and a big celebration.  And while we have no memories of that kind of an event, we do remember driving home down the highway, windows open, floppy hats flapping in the breeze, singing and laughing.

That was 41 years ago.  Today, we no longer have the floppy hats, but we still enjoy being together, singing and laughing.  Marriage is a commitment; a decision that no matter what happens, the two of you, with God’s help, can enjoy your lives together as husband and wife.

I am so grateful, beyond words, for the commitment and loving support from my best friend through all these years.  And should we be blessed to live another 41 years, I look forward to more singing and laughing.

Happy Anniversary, Kathy!

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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What Am I Supposed To Learn From This?

Have you ever been in a trying or difficult situation and thought, “What am I supposed to learn from this?”  If you have, or know others who have, it is because that kind of thinking is propounded by some people.  But, why is that?

Now of course you and I learn many things from various difficult situations that we face in our lives, no doubt.  We all make mistakes, and, hopefully, we learn from them.  I’m not denying that.

But posing the question, “What am I supposed to learn from this,” results in subtle undertones that the situation itself was given to me for the sole purpose that I need to learn something.  I do not ascribe to that kind of thinking, and I’ll tell you why.

Trying Times Are Not Fun

First of all, being in a difficult situation is never pleasant. Whether it is through my own mistakes, or something outside of my control, those situations are never a lot fun.  Wouldn’t you agree?

But then, if I then add to the current misery that this situation was given to me so that I could learn something, I have to wonder who gave it to me. Don’t you?  And there are some well meaning religious people quick to inform you that God is the one who gave you this misery, because you are supposed to learn something.

I believe that is foolish.  If you’ve ever read about the man Job in the Bible, then you know that he experienced an extremely difficult time.  He lost all his children, all of his wealth, and, almost all his health in a very short amount of time.  It was so bad that his wife encouraged him to just curse God and die.  But the record says that Job never charged God foolishly.

Whether openly, which some people do, or subtly, it disgusts me to hear God being blamed for troubles, hardships and evil.  The nature of the one true God is love and light, not hate and darkness.  To think that difficult times are engineered by Him so that you can learn something is very degrading to the Almighty.

The truth is that in difficult situations we certainly might learn something valuable, but on the other hand we might not.  A better question might be, “What can I learn from all of this?”  Of course, if we’re honest, we all know that in those difficult situations, what we learn is not our primary focus, is it?  The learning usually takes place once we’ve discovered a solution or resolution and we look back and reflect.

His Nature

The one true God is a God of love, light and deliverance; a very present help in time of need.  He does not send sickness, tragedy, or difficult times because you need to learn a few things.  However, there is another god mentioned in the Bible who has quite a different agenda.  He comes to steal, kill and destroy.

The evil in this world originates from, as the Bible calls him, “the god of this world,” among other names.  There is day coming when he will be completely destroyed.  But even so, I am also not one of those who constantly refer to the devil. I don’t say, “The devil did that; look what the adversary did to me now; Satan is really attacking this time,” or anything similar.

Even though I know that all the evil can be traced back to him, I refuse to even give him credit for his evil. Instead, I choose to put my focus on my loving God and Father.  The one true God is a God of solutions, even miraculous solutions at times.  The Bible states, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

It’s Your Choice

As we go through this life we ought to continue learn and grow.  And certainly in difficult situations there are things we can learn.  But why not choose to keep your focus on the Giver, the Supplier, and the Healer? Focus on the truth in the Bible that nothing can separate you from His love.

By the way, the man Job had some friends who in his time of trouble tried very hard to get him to admit that his situation was the result of sin in his life.  But, once they were all done jawing, God asked Job to pray for them!  You would have thought it would be the other way around, right?

Then God not only healed Job, but He gave him double of everything that he lost.  God doesn’t steal, He gives; He doesn’t kill, He heals.

And, one more thought, just for fun.  Have you ever noticed that when something really good is happening in your life, no one ever says, “What are you supposed to learn from this?”

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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24 Hours

Do you watch a lot of TV?  How much is a lot?  It’s probably nobody’s business how much you watch, anyway, right?

I was curiously searching the other day and found that we Americans watch TV on average 5 hours a day. Wow. That’s 35 hours a week in front of the tube (not counting another 10 hours a week on the internet.)

Then I found, from people who like calculating numbers, that it is estimated that by age 65 a person will have spent around 9 years of their life in front of the television.  Even if that figure is high, it is startling to think that you and I could spend even one year of our lives watching TV, isn’t it?

This intrigued me, so I searched some more and found some statistics from 2010.  One said that 66 percent of US households have three or more TV sets. Another said that said that 49 percent of Americans think they watch too much TV.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go off on a rant similar to Peter Finch in 1976 in his role as Howard Beale, in the movie Network.  Nor am I judging anyone or being critical.  We all make our own decisions on what we do with each twenty four hours we are given every day.

Increased Ratings = Increased Revenues

I’ve heard it said a number of times in a few different ways, but the essence is still the same:  when we watch TV we are watching other people living their dreams, having fun and making money.  That was one of those statements that when I heard it for the first time, I wished that I hadn’t heard it.

But it’s true isn’t it?  The more people that watch a certain show, the better the ratings and income for those involved.  But what does watching a TV show do to improve our lives?  Yes of course we need to relax and “chill out,” but we still all only receive 24 hours every day.

Now again, I’m not judging or telling anyone what to do.  I don’t watch very much, but I do like the History Channel and sports once in awhile. My wife Kathy likes Dancing with the Stars.  But what if someone decided to cut out just one hour a day of TV watching and instead did something to improve their life?

Imagine what you could learn or develop in just one year after putting 365 hours into it.  Even one hour a week would yield you 52 hours of learning and growing.  What could you learn?

What’s Your Suitcase Look Like?

Once, many years ago when I felt I too overloaded with not enough time, someone said something to me that I have never forgotten.  They said that each day we all get a 24 hour suitcase; some people have just learned how to pack better than others. Too often you hear people say, “If I just had more time…”  The truth is we never get any more time than the 24 hours we are given every day.

It is always a good exercise to stop and take a look at how we are using our 24 hours.  Evaluate your time and then make some decisions.  Make the time to do something that will improve and enhance your life, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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You Are What You Think

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.”  That’s true in a sense.  But you know what is even truer?  You are what you think.

No question that our physical diet directly affects us, right?  I have found that as I age, my body doesn’t seem to respond very well to things I could eat when I was younger.  When I was younger I was really not that concerned with what I ate; but I am now.

However, equally, if not even more so, we all ought to be very concerned with what we are feeding our minds, or, what our minds are feeding upon.   Most people feed on a consistent diet of negatives, and in addition actually anticipate negatives.

Want An Example?

What do you expect to hear when someone asks you, “Did you hear what happened?”   Are you expecting to hear something really good and positive?  Are you expecting to hear of a miracle and someone receiving healing?  Are you expecting to hear something really good?

I wonder what the person asking would think if you responded to that question by saying, “If it’s something negative I don’t want to hear about it.”  They might look at you like you’re crazy or something.

But honestly, outside of something negative happening to family and close friends, what good does it do you to hear yet another negative?  And we hear them all day long, don’t we?  On the news, at work, with family and friends, we constantly hear about negative events.

How Much?  Try This Out.

Take a piece of paper and pen with you wherever you go, and for just one day, make a check mark every time you hear something that is negative.  And make a check mark on the other side of the paper every time you hear something that is positive, uplifting, or encouraging.

Try it for one day.  You will be amazed.  Talk about a diet of junk food!  And guess what?  That does not even include any negative self talk, or the negative things you think and say to yourself, about yourself.

Now I realize that everyone is different; some people hear less negatives in a day than others; others have trained themselves to eliminate destructive self talk.  But, if you know someone who is very, very negative, now you know why.

Room For Improvement

All of us, myself included, no matter where we are today, can improve our attitude, and thus improve our lives.  Start by listening a lot closer to your own self talk.  Is there more positive self talk, or more negative self talk?

Some people go as far as to suggest that you shouldn’t listen to any negative thoughts that you are having, but I disagree. Whatever those thoughts are, you need to get to the bottom of it. Once you do, you will be able to change your core beliefs.

For example, if you are having thoughts of failure; thoughts of not being able to do this or do that, then the question is, why do you think that way?  Ask yourself that question. Then, listen to the answers.

Whatever the answers are, you next need to ask yourself why you think those are valid answers or reasons.  And, then do the same with the next answers.  The point is, keep digging until you get to the bottom of it.  

I can guarantee you that when you get to the bottom of it, whatever it is, it will be opposite to what God promises you in the Bible, and who He made you to be as a Christian.  At that point, make a conscious effort to release it, put it off, cast it down, and then replace it with God’s promises.

Make The Time

You may need to repeat this simple exercise over and over for specific issues.  It may take some time and effort.  But what you are really doing is changing your core beliefs, and our lives are a direct result of our own core beliefs.  So, isn’t it worth it to make the time and effort to get our core beliefs to work for us and not against us?

Finally, what do we allow our minds to feed on?  I know we can’t lock ourselves in a closet with our fingers in our ears.  But, we can control how much of the “news” we listen to, and instead, replace that with an uplifting, encouraging inspiring book.  (I’m highly in favor of the Bible, by the way!)

If you’re driving you obviously can’t read a book at the same time.  Instead, utilize a media player of some sort so that you can expose and feed your mind that which is uplifting, encouraging and inspiring.  It’s your time and it’s your mind.

Most everyone knows what changes can happen when we have a very good physical diet.  But very few have ever explored how dramatically ones life can change from a very good mental diet.  Every day, every minute, every thought, the choice is ours.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Are You Willing?

Across the country, springtime flowers are in bloom. Each one of them will hopefully grow and reach its potential.  Here in Arizona our citrus trees are in full bloom; we certainly anticipate them reaching their potential.

Without sounding too philosophical, isn’t life all about growth and potential?  The question is, are we willing to change. I am. Are you?

When you bring a new puppy home, you know it will not be a puppy forever.  You train the little doggy and it soon grows and hopefully reaches its potential.  And if you’ve ever had the honor of bringing home a new baby, well, then, you know the baby is going to grow up to be an adult.

Now of course it’s lots of fun to talk about flowers and trees, and little babies and puppies.  But let’s take a look at human adults. We’ve all grown up physically, but what about spiritually, mentally, socially?  Have we all reached our potential?

If trees and flowers are nurtured in a good environment they will grow and reach their full potential.  The same is true with little puppies. And, to a degree the same is true with little babies.  But there is however, an important variable for humans. God gave us free will to choose, and for us, that changes things dynamically.

A child may grow up in a lousy environment and yet, because of free will choices, the child can still grow and matures to full potential.  On the other hand, another child may grow up in a very good environment, but because of free will choices, that child will not reach positive full potential.

That’s Nice, But What About Me?

How about you and me today? Is there any room for growth?  Have you reached your full potential?  Have I? Is there something about myself that I need to change? What about you?

There are two general opinions about the need for change.  They are opposites.  One recognizes the need to change, while the other denies it.

For some people, they do not want to even consider changing.  They are happy where they are.  They say things like, “I am fine in my own skin. I like me just the way I am; This is who I am.”

It’s not a question of knowing who you are right now, or being fine in your own skin.  The question is, have you reached your potential; and if not, do you want to grow and reach it?

It’s Too Much Work

For lots of people the thought of change means work. The truth is, many people become comfortably lazy.  They looked around one day and discovered there was no school teacher or parent keeping them accountable for their growth.  They then made a free will decision:  I have arrived and I like where I am. No more homework for me!

I am not trying to be critical of people who have no desire to change or improve their lives.  That is their choice and they are free to choose how to live their lives. Nor am I saying that we should all be engaged in daily activities that rival the training of Olympic athletes, or those pursuing a doctor’s degree.

I am simply asking if there something in my life that I can change and improve.  Or, have I reached my full potential?  I would like to think that since I am still alive there is still room for growth.

For those who truly desire to continue to grow and develop and change, it is not about beating yourself up. It is not looking in the mirror with disgust and disappointment and feeling like a failure.  Rather, it is looking in the mirror knowing there is more for you, and, that you are willing to change to get it.

It Takes Courage

One of the few places courage is talked about is you in front of a mirror. That’s because no one sees that courage but you.  Do you have the courage to take action to change something in your life?  Are you willing?

It takes real courage to be honest with ourselves and tell ourselves, “I need to change that; this is what I am going to do.”  That is not beating yourself up and feeling sorry for yourself. It is loving yourself enough to recognize a change is needed, and then being willing to take the necessary action to grow and change.

God designed the life that we see with our own eyes every day.  Springtime is a reminder to me of starting over: new flowers, new shoots, new buds and new growth.  And yet, every day can be springtime because we have been given free will to choose the thoughts we will think every day.

For each of us, in addition to areas we might like to change, there might be areas in our lives where we haven’t reached our full potential.  Why not live the life God gave us to its fullest?  Why not explore the possibilities of continued growth?  Are you willing?

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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The Choice Is Yours

Each day, we all make choices from the time we wake up until the day ends. At this moment you are reading this article because you made a choice to do so. I Hope you choose to read the whole article.

Looking at choices on a bigger scale, your life today is a sum total of the choices that you have made.  In other words, your life, and mine too, is a combination of years and years of choices.  We can all look back and see some bad choices as well as good choices.

Now some people disagree with this kind of thinking.  They do not accept that their own life and destiny is in their own hands.  They fail to see that their choices of thoughts and actions have anything to do with where their life is today.

Is your life in a mess today because of the economy?  Are things difficult for you because of what the government is doing?  Have the actions of other people caused you to suffer?

Life Without Challenges?

We all face challenges.  And of course there are many things outside of our control that can and do affect us.  But for someone who chooses to take responsibility for his or her life, they see those things as simply challenges.  It is an opportunity for them to choose to overcome the challenges and be successful.

But instead, some continue to choose to whine, complain and blame. It is a real day of awakening when a person realizes that their thoughts and actions are a result of their own choices.  People choose to whine, complain and blame.

But those who choose to take responsibility to overcome their challenges will be successful. Those who choose to whine and complain and blame will continue to sit in misery.  Each one of us really chooses our own destiny.

Why Is It Easier For Some?

Why does it seem so much easier for some people to be solution oriented while others feel hopeless and helpless?  The answer is choices.  Years of choices mold us into who we are today.

Over the years, you and I have chosen to think certain thoughts.  Over the years, we have chosen to nurture certain emotions.  And over the years, we have chosen to do certain things.

All of those choices have actually fashioned and molded us into who we are this very moment. It’s why we think the way we think and act the way we act.  That’s also why it can seem to be difficult to think differently.

If we have “programmed” ourselves by choosing certain thoughts and actions over the years, what about choices today?  How can we choose a different way of thinking if we have already set our mental program to think a certain way?  Do we really have a choice now?

The Brain

I continue to marvel at how God designed the human brain.  It is absolutely fantastic.  Scientists say that even with all that we now know about the brain, we still know very little.

Yes, we do indeed have a choice, every day, to think the thoughts we want to think.  The thoughts that we think that are contrary to our current belief system, our minds will try to reject. We mentally resist thoughts and ideas that we do not believe to be true.

For example, a person who sees himself as a failure with no possibility of ever rising above poverty will meet any thought of being successful with resistance.  Yes, the idea might sound really good at first, but then their core beliefs kick in and negate it, saying something like, “Come on now; you know that is not for you; you know who you really are.”

But just as we built our current belief system one thought and one action at a time, we can change that belief system, one thought and one action at a time.  When we choose to introduce new thinking we need to listen to the resistance and objections from our own mind.  We must then consciously kick those thoughts of rejection out.

Put Off And Put On

The Bible refers to this process as “putting off and putting on.”  We have a choice.  We can choose what to put off and what to put on.  We do it with our clothing every day, right?  Well why not do it with our thinking every day?

We can choose to continue to put off mentally the thoughts we don’t want and replace them with the thoughts we do want.  At the same time, we can act or carry ourselves in accordance with the new choices that we are making.  We will see a change if we consistently choose to put off the wrong thoughts, and instead choose to think the right thoughts.

One thought at a time, and one action at a time we can build for ourselves the life we desire to live, despite the challenges that we are faced with.  The choice is ours.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

Don’t Be Shy – Leave A Comment!
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Go To The Source

We have known Missy for twenty years.  She is loving and kind, and looks for open doors to share God’s Word. She lets her light shine.  Recently, at the shelter where she works, a lady asked her how it was that she has so much faith.  She answered, “I pray.”

She wasn’t expecting the next question.  However, when Missy heard it, she knew it was perfectly logical according to what the lady asking her believed.  The lady asked her, “Who do you pray to?”

Some people pray to one of the many various recognized “saints.”  Others petition Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Others pray to Jesus.

But Missy shocked the lady, when she answered, “God.” “What?” the lady exclaimed, “You mean you go right to the source?”  “Yes I do!” Missy replied with a smile.

Why Not?

Well, why not go right to the source?  Doesn’t the Bible talk about God being our Father?  Why not talk with your Father on a very regular basis?  Think about it.  How can you develop any relationship without talking and spending time together?

Some people have been taught to pray, worship, and give their religious devotion elsewhere than the Father.  But, I often say, “Why do you believe what you believe?  Is it based on what the Scriptures teach? If not the Scriptures, then what?”

I grew up believing some things that were not at all biblical.  They looked and sounded very religious and spiritual, but they had no scriptural authority.  When I saw what the Bible said about those things, I had a choice to make.

I could either hold on to my tradition, even though I could now see that it was not biblical, or, I could change my belief.  And so, over the years, on a number of different topics and issues, I have, after careful examination of the scriptures, changed my beliefs.  What I believe today, to the best of my ability, is based on an accurate understanding of what the Bible says.

What Did Jesus Teach?

Jesus Christ spoke often about God being our Father.  He said he came to declare and make known the Father.  He came so that we, through him, could come unto the Father.

He told his followers that the Father Himself loved them.  He told them that when he was gone they should ask, or pray, to the Father in his name.  Jesus even told them not to pray to him, but rather to the Father because the Father loved them.

Isn’t it comforting as well as encouraging that the Scriptures say that you and I have been invited to the throne room of God’s grace where we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need?  The Bible also talks about letting your requests be made know unto God.  And what about verses that show or explain that God is at work in you by way of His spirit?

For me, it is simply overwhelming that the Creator of the universe dwells in us by way of the spirit that He has freely given us.  It is mind blowing that nothing can separate us from His love.  It’s almost inconceivable that God Almighty wanted a relationship with us whereby He could be our Father, and we His children.

Through no work of our own, but rather the completed work of Christ, we are permanently connected to God. The Bible says it is incorruptible seed; it is eternal life.  Those born again are indeed the children of the Creator.

God almighty, the Creator, is unlimited in His power and resources.  He is quite literally, the Source. He is our source.  The lady was astounded that Missy prayed to “the Source.”  We should not only pray, but have a close working relationship with the Source, our heavenly Father, on a daily basis.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Are You Righteous In His Eyes?
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Your Attitude: Asset Or Liability

What is your attitude about the direction of your life?  How do you feel about your life today, right now?  For most people, if things are going well, their attitude is good.  But when things are not going well, their attitude is bad.

It’s true that we are living in some very troubling economic times not only here in the United States, but around the world.  But regardless of what’s going on elsewhere, for those going through difficult times, their real concern is about their own life; and rightly so.

Much has been written and taught about attitude, and I’m sure you’ve heard different things over the years yourself.  Someone once said, “Our attitude determines our altitude.” My question is, if you are going though some challenging times, what is your attitude?

Bad Times And Feeling Low

It seems for most people, during difficult times, their attitude becomes pretty low; it bottoms out.  How can you possibly have a good attitude when things are lousy in your life?  How in the world can you stay positive and happy when you are trying to deal with so much pressure?

Have you ever noticed that when things in your life are going really well you don’t need to work on having a better attitude, do you?  Life is great, things are going well, and your attitude is just terrific.  But in facing adversities our attitude slips, doesn’t it?

But here’s a great key that few realize.  Most people wait for things to get better before they change their attitude. But the fact is, attitude has a direct correlation in how long their adversity will last.  Our attitude can either be an asset or a liability, a help or a hindrance, a friend or an enemy.

Because of the way God designed our minds to work and function, our own attitude can be one of our greatest assets, or one of our greatest liabilities.  The choice is ours.  We really can change our attitude, regardless of our circumstances.

To discover if you need an attitude adjustment, think about how you think, act, and talk when things are going really well.  Now, if you are going through some difficult times, what are you thinking, how are you acting, and what are you saying?  Is there a difference?

Is Attitude Really That Big Of A Deal?

Attitude is defined as our disposition, our emotions, our mood, or how we feel.  Our disposition, emotions, mood, and feelings are a product of our thoughts.  And I’ve heard people say things before like, “Oh, I’ve tried that being positive stuff; it doesn’t work for me.”  To that I would say that you may want to stop and evaluate that kind of thinking, actions and speech.

John Maxwell has often said, “Attitude isn’t everything, but it’s the main thing that makes a difference in a person’s life.”  Will your attitude turn the global economy around?  No. But always remember that it’s not what happens to us, but what happens in us, that determines the outcome in our lives.

We cannot control things that happen to us.  But can absolutely control what’s going inside us.  We can choose the thoughts we think, which will evoke emotions, which then fuel the actions we take, or don’t take.

In difficult times, work harder at being much more selective of the thoughts you choose to entertain.  You can look at your present situation and declare that you are in this mess because of something.  Or, you can look at your present situation and declare that you will absolutely succeed in spite of everything.

An Awesome Advantage

And here’s the really good news.  Saint and sinner alike can utilize the way God designed the brain to work and get results.  But we who are Christians, knowing that God is our Father, have a great advantage.  We can pray and ask for His help and His guidance.

God won’t make us think the right thoughts.  But when we choose to do just that, we can certainly be anticipating His help and solutions regardless of the circumstance or the odds.

Is your attitude an asset for you right now, or is it a liability? If the latter, then stop and make some mental changes right away.  The Bible says to guard your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.  Each one of us determines whether our attitude is an asset or a liability, a help or a hindrance, a friend or an enemy.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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What Did She Do?

It’s Another Podcast!

Guess what happened to my wife on the way to the post office the other day?  It has probably happed to you too.  It has happened to me as well.

But, what was her response?  Find out in this short [5:29] podcast.  You will find it very practical the next time it happens to you!

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Get Up And Get Dressed
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There’s More!
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