Chapter 15

Proverbs 15 (Liz)

"For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

Solomon contrasts a despondent heart with a happy heart, both of which are attitudes. One of the lessons I learned in 2007 is: Attitude is a Choice!

Yes, your attitude is based not on your circumstances, but on what you choose it to be. This past summer I went through one of the hardest times at work that I've ever been through. The situation was one that just had to be endured through. Every morning on my way to work I had to choose the right attitude by giving my day, circumstances and problems to God and asking Him to help me have the right attitude. It wasn't always easy and sometimes in the middle of my day the Holy Spirit had to remind me that I had chosen a right attitude earlier and I needed to choose it again for that moment.

I am reminded about a Forward I received that helps me remember this lesson. The "Law of the Garbage Truck": Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. If you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on, You'll be glad you did.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, tells us that our attitude is a choice. Proverbs 15:1,13,15,28,30 A right attitude is made up of 3 parts. 1-it is something you choose, 2-it is a behavior that benefits from repetition and practice, 3-most important, focus on God! Remember David as he faced Goliath. He beat Goliath because his focus was on God, not Goliath. Look at your problem in the light of God's power, not God through the shadow of your problem.

Choose the right attitude today, tomorrow, and the next day and life will be a continual feast!