It's all in the attitude...

Good Morning!  Last week I shared with you the story of our friend that had been in an accident at work and as a result of the accident, he lost his right foot and part of the lower right leg.  Jason did come home from the hospital and he is doing amazing.  As the title of this post says, "It's all in the attitude..." 

I know for certain that my attitude would not be a good one if this were me instead of my friend.  My attitude is an area I struggle with on a daily basis.  I can't help but wonder why it is that Christians, in general, seem to have a not so pleasant attitude when times get tough?  Now, I'm not saying that all Christians all the time have a bad attitude.  What I am saying is that those of us who claim to be Christians ... ie:  Christ-like ... will sometimes not have the best of attitudes when things aren't all peachy-keen. 

Jason has lost a portion of his leg.  The man is 29 years old.  He is not married, nor has he ever been.  He has no children.  His life as he knew it has been changed forever.  Yet you would never know.  He smiles.  He jokes.  He plays around.  He acts like nothing is any different for him than it was on the Sunday before the accident on Monday.  Yet, everything is different!  I am certain that he has his down moments.  You know, those moments when he really feels the tragedy in all this.  He doesn't let those moments last very long!  He pulls himself up by the bootstraps and gets back to reality.  He can't change the events of these past couple of weeks and he knows that.  So, he makes the best of a bad situation.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would be more negative than positive.  Why?  I claim that Christ lives in me.  I claim to follow Him and trust Him.  How about you...would you be as positive as my friend?  Or would you be somewhat negative, like me?  It saddens me to make this realization!  Watching Jason through this has made me take a long, hard look at myself.  I said last week that Jason is not a Christian...well, he isn't serving God like I think of when I think of a Christian.  I know he loves God and he prays...but, well, you know.  However, the attitude that I see in my friend puts me to shame.  I must repent of my 'lack of faith' attitude during troubles. 

All of that said, I know that most of the time I have no trouble trusting God and knowing that He is in control of my life and the events therein.  But, if what happened to Jason happened to me...well, let's just say I know I would go through some very dark periods.  It would take the love of my family and friends to pull me through those times.  Perhaps that is what is keeping Jason so positive.  He has so many friends and loved ones.  He has been bombarded with love during this whole event.  And the love that has been shown to him isn't just being shown 'through' this event.  The family and friends that he has always show him love and support. 

I love 1 Corinthians 10:13:

¹³No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face.  All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. 

Do you see that...God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit...?  God is with us no matter what the circumstances.  We simply have to trust HIM.  Apparently, Jason hasn't met his limit. 

I pray that I will be able to have the kind of attitude that Jason has had through this tragedy throughout the rest of my life.  In fact, I want to change that word...instead of tragedy...this is just an event in his life.  It is an event that will mark change for him, but with the attitude he has...he WILL move on.  I pray that God will help me to have the kind of attitude I need to help me move forward no matter what happens in my life.  How about you?  What kind of attitude do you want to carry you through?

Have a great day,