Today is building day and today we are building our attitude. Our attitude is the fundamental key toward meeting our goals. Your self-esteem and personal peace, according to Jesus, starts with your attitudes and behavior. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5, in the Beatitudes, how deeply our attitude affects the blessings He has already provided. Attitude is the key to receiving blessings. Attitude can also sabotage your goals.
Goals are important because they helped us to reach a desired end. The key is to set an attainable goal, not one too lofty to achieve. Set small goals, short term, so that you get to where you want to go a little step at a time. Instead of planning to lose 30 pounds, set one goal to lose 10 pounds and then celebrate that victory. Then you can grow from that achievement, build your confidence in that you met a goal and set your next goal for 10 pounds and the same until you get to where you are going.
The only problem is that the first 10 pounds, 10 cigarettes, 10 miles of exercise, whatever you are trying to achieve, cannot be attained if your attitude doesn’t carry you there. Let’s take a look at Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth”.
Most people think that meek means weak. On the contrary, someone who is meek is someone who is strong, but not violent; able to endure injury with patience and without resentment. A better idea of the meaning is "humility". The meek person of this beatitude is one who is secure, humble, and unassuming. Secure? UGH! That’s a word I don’t like to hear. Most of my self-esteem crisis comes from insecurity. Able to endure injury with patience and without resentment…double UGH! Sometimes I think I thrive on allowing others to tear me down. Then I tear myself down. Then the insecurity wins.
Then we look at this issue, the meek shall inherit the earth. What is the earth? Here "earth" means the realm of your existence. It is your environment. It is the place and circumstance of your life.
So if we can learn to control our attitude, if we can learn the attitude of meekness, we will, in essence, be taking control over our existence. In achieving this new attitude, we will allow God to create harmony between the meek person and all the circumstances of her life. Toil and effort to exist, survive, and succeed are no longer required. The God who controls all things takes control of your life to make your efforts easier, more productive and satisfying. The God who fearfully and wonderfully created you will give you the increased self-esteem that you seek.
Today’s challenge will be simple for some and the hardest challenge all week for others. I am asking you today to pray. Seriously seek God’s face. Ask Him to show you when you fail to have that attitude of meekness. Ask Him to deliver you from insecurity and to give you patience. Ask Him to teach you true humility so that you may better control your attitude and your existence. Find a friend and pray for each other in this aspect.
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