I don’t know about you, but this year has flown faster than a Learjet from Coldwater to Memphis. As I look back over all that happened in 2023, I'm reminded that life is short and to make the best of it every day. Each 24-hour day is a gift from God, and it's vital that we live each day to our full God-given potential.
As we approach 2024, what better way to kick off the new year than with an attitude adjustment? It's not the one that WWE Superstar John Cena gives out but one that God gives out. Sometimes, life can knock us down and cause our attitude and outlook on life to be slightly off.
According to Psychology Today, as we move toward 2024, it's important to understand that our attitude plays a pivotal role in shaping our future. Our thoughts, dreams, visions, plans, and actions today shape our future. A positive attitude is not just about being optimistic; it involves actively creating a future that aligns with our goals and aspirations. This includes focusing on people who can inspire us, setting goals, and gathering resources and inspiration from various sources.
The most important resource we have as followers of Christ is our connection with a loving Heavenly Father and His word. If we want a better outlook on life, we should focus on the one that gave us life in the first place.
I genuinely believe that for us to approach the new year, we need to be thankful for all that God has given us so far in life. I know that God is preparing all of us to step into new promises for our lives, and being thankful for what He has done is a great starting point to focus us into the new year. Let’s look at God’s Word.
MATTHEW 13:53-58 NLT [53] When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. [54] He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, "Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?" [55] Then they scoffed, "He's just the carpenter's son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers-James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. [56] All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?" [57] And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family." [58] And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
Imagine how this must have felt. Jesus acknowledged that he “had no honor” in His hometown - surrounded by friends and family. Jesus’ reputation at this point was one of awe and wonder, yet those close to Him did not acknowledge Him for who He truly was.
This is an essential lesson for all of us - DON’T BE BLIND TO YOUR BLESSINGS. Your blessings are often right in front of you. Did you know that Jesus said He would never leave or forsake us and told us not to be afraid? How could we ever be afraid when the savior of the world said to us that He would be with us wherever we went?
MATTHEW 28:20 NLT Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
GRATITUDE WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE ATTITUDE. Take a good, hard look around you. Take an honest inventory of all the blessings you have in your life. You will see that the list is nearly endless. If we aren’t thankful, then we aren’t paying attention.
IT’S NOT HAPPY PEOPLE WHO ARE THANKFUL. IT’S THANKFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE HAPPY. The practice of gratitude brings you closer to God and empowers you to find peace despite your problems. I believe that going into the new year with this type of perspective in our lives will truly change our attitudes and affect those closest to us. LET US LET GRATITUDE CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE FOR 2024.
Take some time today to write down some things you are thankful for. Think of names, experiences, and feelings.
I am praying for you and truly thankful you enjoy these articles. I pray that you draw closer to Jesus each day. I would love to connect with you on Facebook. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything or someone to talk to. 901-515-6450. God never called us to walk through life alone. The best is yet to come in your life.
