Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. – Viktor E. Frankl
The word “attitude” comes from the Italian for “posture” meaning how you carry yourself, something you hold in your whole being, your entire approach to the world.
The Bible says that Moses was a humble man, humbler than anyone on the face of the earth, in other words, he was teachable and co-operative. He treated people as he wanted to be treated and he lived a life that was properly lined up with his heavenly Father.
Now Miriam and Aaron were family members; Moses thought he could count on them and trust them. Instead they spoke behind his back, criticizing him and stirring up trouble among Gods’ people and their leader.
Most people who stir up trouble do so not out of right reasons but out of bad attitudes. An attitude cannot be inherited or passed down; but it’s rather a choice. God has given us the ability to think; to reason; to choose whether we will focus on positive thought or negative thoughts.
The choice as to which one, we will focus on and feed. Nurture is up to us. You can’t choose what will happen to you today – but you can choose your own attitude. We each have the power to decide how we will respond to what happens to us. Let us look for the best even in the worst conditions.
And now, dear brothers, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise, keep putting into practice all you have received from me; you’ve heard from me and saw me doing. Them the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6–9
Written by Dr Charisse le Roux
