Contagious Attitudes

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you have hit the ground running this morning.

While I was away the past couple of weeks my family came down with a cold. One by one each of them got the sniffles, the runny nose, the cough and the sore throat. Over the weekend they shared that with me. So this morning I sit here with Kleenex close by dealing with the affects of a head cold.

It is amazing how quickly a cold can spread even when you have taken appropriate precautions. No matter how much you wash your hands, avoid close contact and up your vitamin intake you are still likely to get sick.

It is with this thought in mind that I want to talk to your about infectious attitudes. Have you ever noticed that we are people who often allow our attitudes to be shaped by consensus? When those around us are negative we often follow them straight into the path of negativity. When those around us are discouraged we often reach the depths of despair ourselves. When those around us are filled with joy we can’t help but feel our spirits rise.

The Bible gives warning to those with a root of bitterness in their lives:

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.

Hebrews 12:15 (HCSB)

The danger of the bitter seed is its potential to harm others. It is so critical that we always examine the “health” of our attitudes. Our attitudes rub off on those we come into contact with, no matter how well hidden we think they may be. If you are struggling with negativity, bitterness or despair I encourage you to surrender those negative thoughts before God this morning. Ask Him to give you a healthy attitude so that your influence might also be healthy.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl