O GOD, HELP ME TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUE

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1 O GOD, HELP ME TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUE A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. PROVERBS 15:13 Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. Bill Cosby Presence of God Our mouths are filled with laughter and our tongues with singing as we remember that our Almighty and Faithful God is always with us. He is our God and we are His people and nothing shall separate us from Him. "Attitudes and how we perceive ourselves" in this world can give us cheer, or tear us down. Circumstances of life are really beyond our "total" control. --BUT--We don't have to eat (emotionally and physically) everything that comes our way. Learn to laugh at yourself and the world. Don't take life so seriously that you forget to enjoy it. PHILIPPIANS 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Your "cheerful attitudes" can make a world of difference on the outcome of your circumstances, and make it easier to get through the hard times. Filling your mind and heart with "good clean laughter" is better than any medicine and a lot easier to swallow. Your cheerful attitudes can also affect the way people feel when they are around you. PROVERBS 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit wearies the bones. When you are cheerful around other people (even if you are feeling down,) they respond cheerfully. Your cheerfulness, makes them have a "cheerful attitude" around you. Believe it or not "Happiness breeds happiness." Have you ever been around someone who is laughing really hard, yet you don't know why they are laughing, then you start to laugh, I can't tell you how many times that has happened to me. I'm laughing, I don't know why I'm laughing, I'm just laughing. Their laughter rubbed off onto me, and I became happy with laughter. Good Clean laughter is the best kind of medicine. It helps bring about inner healing as well as our faith and trust in the Lord. Diana Gray

2 Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens. Not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. What Blocks a Positive Attitude Self-pity A sense of helplessness Tragic events Lack of faith Feeling unloved Inability to let go of past negative things Judging people harshly and with anger Feeling trapped by circumstances

3 How To Nurture a Positive Attitude Stay in control of negative thoughts Be other-centered not self-centered Maintain and nourish a spiritual life Have a healthy sense of humor Believe in your own goodness Choose to be a life-long learner Foster love in your life Believe in your own personal freedom This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Lamentations 3:21-23 In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Albert Camus I don t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. Anne Frank The real positive people wake up each morning deciding to love the world even as they are conscious of their own and other people s sufferings and their own shortcomings. Mary Van Volkenburg One of the most constructive ways to nourish a positive attitude is with a sense of humor. Clearly, humor is part of God s creation but we do not always give it enough attention. St. Francis of Assisi advised: Leave sadness to the devil. The devil has reason to be sad. Saint Teresa of Avila prayed: From somber, serious, sullen saints, save us, O Lord. Let nothing disturb thee, Nothing affright thee All things are passing; God never changeth; Patient endurance Attaineth to all things; Who God possesseth In nothing is wanting; Alone God sufficeth.

4 Do not fear for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God you are precious in My sight and honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:1-4 Prayer Come, O Holy Spirit of God and make me thankful for each new day; for the beauty of creation, for the ingenuity of people, for my own talents and gifts, for friends and family and faith. Instill in me a sense of gratitude, joy and appreciation for all the good and positive things in my life. Psalm 4 When I call, answer me, O my just God, You who relieve me when I am in distress; have pity on me, and hear my prayer! Know that the Lord does wonders for His faithful one; the Lord will hear me when I call upon Him. O Lord, let the light of Your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart. I ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart. I ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart, down in my heart To stay.

5 Canticle Of The Sun Refrain: The heavens are telling the glory of God, and all creation is shouting for joy. Come dance in the forest, come, play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord. Praise for the sun, the bringer of day, he carries the light of the Lord in his rays; the moon and the stars who light up the way unto your throne. Praise for the wind that blows through the trees, the seas mighty storms, the gentlest breeze; they blow where they will, they blow where they please to please the Lord. Praise for the rain that waters our fields, and blesses our crops so all the earth yields; from death unto life her mystery revealed springs forth in joy. Praise for the fire who gives us his light, the warmth of the sun to brighten our night; he dances with joy, his spirit so bright, he sings of you. Praise for the earth who makes life to grow, the creatures you made to let your life show; the flowers and trees that help us to know the heart of love. Praise for our death that makes our life real, the knowledge of loss that helps us to feel; the gift of your self, you presence revealed to bring us home. Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!