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The late great motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, declared:

“It is your attitude, more than your aptitude, that will determine your altitude.”

You could also say, heart determines height.

In Christ, we’re seated in heavenly places, far above the fray. But a stinky attitude can quickly dethrone you and put you back in the mire of moaning and mediocrity.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll said about attitude,

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life… I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.”

That’s why choosing an attitude of gratitude is so important.

The word ‘attitude’ means ‘a settled way of thinking or feeling about something’.

It’s a habit we develop.

GRR-attitude?

Instead of a GRR-attitude where we’re angry at life and its inconsistencies, we can instead look for the good.

Here are a couple of scriptures worth packing for your journey.

Our thoughts are the gatekeeper, opening the door to the heart. That’s where attitudes (a settled way of thinking and feeling) are formed.

This is one I think we’re all familiar with:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

But I also remind you, because thoughts inevitably lead to corresponding actions, that:

“The thoughts of the diligent (a settled way of acting) tend only to plenteousness” (Proverbs 21:5 KJV)

Don’t hurry by.

Do your thoughts tend ONLY to plenty?

To tend is to “regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic”.

Again, a habit rooted in utter reliance and trust in the goodness and generosity of God.

A propensity to think and believe the best in any and every circumstance.

An attitude of gratitude.

Today is a special day for me.

It’s the day I celebrate a very special human being who makes my heart dance.

26 years ago, on this very day, a beautiful human being said “I do” and we’ve been doing life together ever since.

Truly thankful, from the bottom of my heart.

It’s the people, not the possessions, in life that make it rich and wonderful.

Who are the special people in your life?

Don’t leave it 26 years, 26 days, or even 26 minutes before you tell them how important they are to you. Reach out today and let them know.

The richest man or woman in the world is not the one with the most money in the bank.

“And Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”” (Luke 12:15 NKJV)

G.K. Chesterton wisely observed:

“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.”

Contentment is a pipeline through which thankfulness can flow.

Selah.

Gratitude seems to be a buzzword nowadays, but the Bible was on to this secret long before the zeitgeist.

Throughout the Scriptures, we’re encouraged again and again to live a thankful life.

Why?

Certainly, one reason, and the one I want to share today, is that we become what we behold.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

We’re told to magnify the Lord and move mountains in His name, but how often do we magnify the mountains?

Here’s how:

With unveiled face. Ditch the doubt and shame. Your face may be dirty, but when you look in the mirror, it’s a new creature looking back at you. This is the miracle of redemption. Loving eyes stare back at you. You are accepted in the Beloved, so be loved.

Beholding as in a mirror. Who do you see when you look in the mirror? God sees His glory in you and wants you to see the same.

Be Transformed. Let this glorious love transform how you see yourself, and the world around you, and your perception of it, will change.

If you spend your days lamenting what you don’t have, wishing yourself different, and down on your dreams, those thoughts will frame your world.

If instead you take quality time to quieten your mind, and look steadfastly into the Word of God, believing who it says you are, thanksgiving will be the overflow.

A simple set of rules for successful living.

“Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)

My focus today is giving thanks. Living grateful.

Gratitude embraces grace and overlooks weakness and failings.

It opens the door for tranquillity to reclaim the umpire’s seat in your soul.

Instead of performance, peace.

Instead of drivenness, delight.

Instead of regret, a sense of accomplishment for how far you’ve already come.

The metrics of the world are wonky. I hope you realise that.

It’s not by height, might, power or prestige. Not by reputation, reasoning, cleverness or clout. Not by bank, bigness or bluster, but by my Spirit says the Lord.

And He lives in you.

Let that glorious truth land today.

You are enough.

The endless chasing can cease.

Choose gratitude.

Tomorrow I’ll share some ways to exercise this (because ideas without action are empty containers). They must be filled with the Breath to stand up and walk.