It is a matter of attitude part II

by with No Comment Emotional Intelligence

Let’s continue with the story of Mary’s husband Joseph and the attitude. We can see how his faith in God helped him trust the angel’s message when he was told that the baby Mary was expecting came from the Holy Spirit’s work. The attitude Joseph took when facing this news determined his role in raising Jesus Christ.

Lesson 1 of Joseph’s attitude

If we analyze Joseph’s attitude before such a divine proposition, we can learn three lessons for ourselves. First, Joseph was willing to accept God’s will regardless of the consequences. He could have said, what are my family members, neighbors, church brothers and sisters, and friends going to say when they see that Mary is pregnant? Are there no other couples in Nazareth? Why did you choose us?

What would have happened if Joseph had said, “I do not want to be part of that plan”? I do not know, but what I do know is that Joseph was a man of God, and he accepted God’s will in his life. Are you willing to accept God’s will in your life? What is it that God is asking you to do that you think makes no sense? What attitude do you have towards what God’s will is? I hope that you can say, like Joseph, “Lord, whatever You ask of me, that I will do.”

Lesson 2 of Joseph’s attitude

The second lesson we need to learn is to take care of other people. Joseph is mentioned only a few times in the Bible. He is not the center of the story. He has one mission, to take care of Mary and baby Jesus. Likewise, he could have said, “Mary and I are not engaged yet, why do I have to marry her?”, “I am not the father of that child, why do I have to take care of a child who is not my own son?” Joseph had a positive attitude and decided to fulfill his mission of taking care of Mary and baby Jesus.

When God calls on us to care for those in need who are around us, how do we react? Maybe we say, “I do not have time.” When was the last time you called a loved one because you were worried about him or her? Maybe you called your parents who are in a nursing home because you do not have time to take care of them. Joseph put all his plans aside and fulfilled the mission that Heaven had entrusted to him. Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40).

Lesson 3 of Joseph’s attitude

The third lesson is that we have to learn to give up everything for Jesus. Joseph gave everything to Jesus. He did not know that he would have to move to another country in order to save him. He did not know that he would have to be away from his family and the town where he was born in to help the child and Mary.

Furthermore, he never imagined the time it would take to care for the baby Jesus and Mary. But he gave up everything because he loved God and believed in the mission that Heaven had entrusted to him.

What about us and our attitude?

Are we willing to give everything up for Jesus? What is it that God is asking you to give him, and you do not want to do because you fear losing control? Maybe God is asking you to give Him your finances, your heart, your talents, or a cherished sin?

Whatever God is asking of you, give it to Him because the reward God will give you will be greater than what He is asking of you. If you give Him your life, He will give you Eternal Life. Think, if you give Him your finances, He will give you streets of gold. If you give Him your heart, He will give you a new one. It is worth giving everything to Jesus.

Wasn’t that what God did for us? He gave it all for love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Nowadays, we have Christmas because God gave EVERYTHING for us.

Joseph learned about giving everything to Jesus very early in his life. Have we learned to give everything to Jesus? God allow that while you search for gifts and buy them, you think about Joseph’s attitude toward Jesus and decide to give Jesus the gift of gifts, your heart.

It is a matter of attitude Part 1

by with No Comment Emotional IntelligenceSelf-awareness

We have often heard the phrase “it is a matter of attitude.” But, do we truly know what it means? Let’s start by defining what attitude is.

It is the effect a set of beliefs and values that are relatively stable over time have on the disposition or tendency to act in a certain way. It is a determining factor when it comes to taking an action and the type of emotion the activity generates, or the way of interacting when facing a situation or stimulus.

Development of attitude

An individual’s attitude is developed and depends on their environment. It can also depend on inherited or biological patterns, and the negative or positive reinforcement the person receives when facing certain stimuli.

Thus, the approach we take to situations will depend on the experiences we have lived and the internal and external factors that lead us to perceive that situation in a certain way. Therefore, how we act in a situation will depend on the attitude we decide to have when facing it.

The results and perspectives we get are a reflection of the actions we take that are motivated by the attitudes we manifest amid adversity or “good fortune.”

Sometimes the way we see life and how we face it makes the difference between happiness or sadness, between satisfaction or frustration. Sometimes, what happens to us or, at least, the way we perceive it, is a matter of attitude.

Perception and attitude

Many people have adopted a very pessimistic perception throughout their lives. And they do not find a way to overcome events that affect them. In this way, they avoid taking responsibility when facing life.

These people, generally, put all the responsibility regarding their “disgrace” outside their orbit of action. This is called an external locus of control. It is always the other person who is responsible for any negative situation in his/her life. Phrases like “you are the one to blame for all my problems” are common among these people.

The other group is the one who sees life with more optimism. They know the circumstances life brings them are challenges for them to grow. Therefore, they live with less stress. They tend to appear happier and smile more. They are the ones who know that life is not threatening itself, but what makes it “good” or “bad” is a matter of attitude.

For that reason, they have the freedom to choose how to face it. That is where the phrase “it is all about attitude” applies. We decide how to face events and situations. The results will depend on the approach we have and the attitude we take.

Joseph attitude

Very little is said about Joseph. Every sermon that is preached around this December holiday season is about Mary, the baby Jesus, the wise men, and the shepherds. But Joseph’s attitude in this whole plot of Jesus’ birth is interesting.

He was getting ready for his wedding with his fiancée Mary, coordinating the guests, the pastor who would marry them, and the place of the reception. Joseph was very busy when he saw Mary coming to him, crying, without knowing what to say.

After he asked her to tell him what was going on, she answered him: “I am pregnant, I am going to have a baby.” The first thing that came to Joseph’s mind was, “That baby is not mine, whose is it?”

How would you react to news like that? Maybe you would have cursed Mary, or regretted the day you met her. But Joseph did not. He had a different attitude. He was a just man, a man of integrity, and faithful to God. Likewise, he did not judge or draw his conclusions on the matter. But he simply decided to protect Mary because he loved her. And the best thing he could do was to separate from her without anyone noticing it.

And when he was ready to carry out his plan, the angel of the Lord approached him and explained everything that was happening with Mary. There, Joseph understood the purpose God had for him, for his life. The attitude he decided to take in the face of this situation made the difference. Yes, the difference between fleeing and having an important role in the history of the world, raising the Savior, who came to live in his very own home.

Your attitude when facing challenges

What is your attitude when facing challenges in your life? Do you have faith like Joseph? He did not doubt the angel of Jehovah’s message and had an important role in the history of the world. Are there any situations in your life that could have been different if you’d had a different attitude when facing them?

Do you think the attitude you have when facing situations influences how they turn out? Share your opinion and your experiences with us in the comments section and tell us your point of view. God bless you.