A good attitude is good medicine

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “A good attitude is good medicine”

Maintaining a good attitude is one of the most important things we can do in terms of selfcare. As Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 17:22, a good attitude is good medicine. But how do we maintain a good attitude in a world that is so negative? What do we do about our insensitive spouse, our unruly kids, or the unreasonable boss? And how about that inconsiderate neighbor with the overgrown yard and the barking dog?

Grrr… don’t such things just jack your jaws? Don’t they steal your joy and ruin your day? But wait, should they be able to? Are you a puppet on a string being yanked this way and that by outside forces and circumstances beyond your control? Are your emotions really at the mercy of people and events in the outside world, or is your attitude your responsibility?  

That’s a rhetorical question and the answer should be obvious – it’s your attitude and you own it. And this is where good boundaries can be so helpful. Where does your sense of stability, peace, tranquility, and joy come from? Does it come from the outside world and work its way into your heart, or is it something that already resides deep within you?  

You have the Holy Spirit of God living in your heart. And as Paul told us in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit the Spirit produces in your life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. gentleness, and self-control. And as John told us in 1 John 4:4, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” In other words, the power that is in you is greater and stronger than the power that is in the world. That being the case, rather than the world forcing its way into your heart, the power of the Spirit should be reigning supreme within your heart, creating a boundary that keeps the spirit of negativity out, (maintaining peace and tranquility and joy), and then even flowing out of you to beat back the forces of negativity all around you.

It’s your attitude and its your responsibility to protect it, nurture it, and keep it strong and positive. You do that by rejecting that which drains you and embracing that which gives life. You do it by following Paul’s directive in Philippians 4:8 “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovey, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – dwell on these things.” Fill your heart with the good things of God and then stay focused on Him and His blessings in your life.

It’s your attitude and it’s your responsibility to do the things necessary to keep it positive. A good attitude is good medicine.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville