Have a Philippians 4:8 Attitude

Your attitude is completely learned. This is great news. It means your attitude can be improved when you make a concerted effort to do so. And when your attitude improves, your whole life improves. Since attitude is so important why not shoot for an ultra-positive attitude?

An ultra-positive attitude is a way of thinking that attracts opportunities and creates contentment. It’s a mindset that keeps you healthy, optimistic and resilient when dealing with the inevitable ups and downs of life.

The key to developing this kind of attitude is best expressed through the words of the apostle Paul. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

Remember, what gets impressed through your habitual thinking gets expressed through your circumstances. Whatever you think about the most never remains a secret for long. Thinking, talking and worrying about what you don’t want can never bring you what you do want.

The downside of our human nature quietly nudges us to emphasize what’s unavailable and minimize what is available. It’s so easy to get consumed with the obstacles and forget about the goals. It’s so easy to entertain hostile, turbulent thoughts about the future and miss the gift of the present. I encourage you to start thinking through the lens of Philippians 4:8. This is the key to developing an attitude worth imitating.

Tommy Newberry is the author of The 4:8 Principle available from Tyndale House Publishers this September.