Do you struggle with your attitude? Are you in a bad mood all the time? Did you know that your attitude truly affects your altitude?

If you’re being negative, accusatory, blaming, critical, and in a bad mood all the time, then the battle is already lost. If your attitude is condemning and mean-spirited, then the devil has won, and you’ll soon begin to focus on what’s wrong and start to back up your list of reasons you want out of the relationship, marriage, ministry, church, job, etc!

There is NO Christ in this!

Do you keep a mental chalkboard of your mates, friends or family members wrongdoings and then mentally place tick marks against each one perpetrated? Do you blame others instead of looking at your contribution? This is how the critical spirit gets in and does its damage. “That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.” Matthew 7:2-5

Do you believe that you have stuff going on in your life, or are you so focused on the other person that you cannot see your own garbage? You may also be in denial!

Hey, we all mess up; it’s just a fact of life. “If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins — make a clean break from them— he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.” 1 John 1:8. There is only one answer: Confess these struggles to God and someone else and then ask him to help you get rid of this baggage! Hey, it’s scriptural after all! James 5:16.

Your attitude shouldn’t be negative most of the time. Your attitude and thoughts can change, and your circumstances can be better, not bitter! Your attitude when focused on positive things, will catapult you in the right direction! One great way to do this is to confess your shortcomings to another safe person. We’ve found through Celebrate Recovery’s small group environment, we can get real with each other, admit our faults, pray for and also encourage one another so that we CAN HEAL! Healing is available if you’re only willing to take that first step at Celebrate Recovery….a safe place to share your struggles! Many have found help and hope on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Celebrate Recovery, 408 College St., Clinton.