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7 Attitudes That Will Stop You From Moving Forward

March 15, 2014 cm-admin Inspire 0

15 March 2014 by Mindy Oon CM-

You may have heard the phrase ‘Your Attitude Will Determine Your Altitude’. Well, our attitudes are important because they make a difference between having a miserable life or one that is filled with joy and peace. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering around in the wilderness because of their bad attitude. While they thought that their enemies were the problem, it was really their attitudes that they had to deal with. Here are seven bad (and common) attitudes that will keep people stuck in wilderness.

Basing The Future On The Past

The Israelites had a negative attitude about their future. All their expectations were based on what happened in the past, and what they saw in their current situation. They were lacking a positive vision. We can’t dwell on a painful past and expect a good future. Decide to believe in the things that God has for you and start speaking God’s Word over your circumstances. Remember Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’.

It’s someone else’s responsibility

It may be true that maybe the problems you are facing are caused by someone else. However, we need to stop looking to other people to fix the mess that we are in. It is only when we decide to change that change can really happen. Know that God has empowered you, and that He does not expect you to do it alone. Ask Him to help you, and He will. Hebrews 13:5-6 says ‘…for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you not forsake you. So we may boldly say; “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Please make things easy for me

Maybe things are hard, and you feel that you can’t take it anymore. However, you are stronger than you think. Do not let the enemy convince you that you are weak and helpless. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Look to Him to pull you up and ask Him for strength to deal with everything that life throws at you.

Grumbling, Fault Finding and Complaining

A fault finder is someone who ignores all the good qualities in a person and looks for the one thing that they do not like. However, in Philippians 2, Paul teaches that we should have a humble, unselfish attitude that puts others first. So instead of looking for what’s wrong with people, or in our life circumstances, let’s make a conscious effort to focus on the good that is in our lives.

I shouldn’t have to wait

More often than not we get impatient with God. We want what we want, and we want it NOW. Instead, let us learn to wait on God and trust in His timing. Also we need to be open and obedient if the answers to our prayers is ‘No’. Instead of saying ‘I will be happy when…..’ why not make a choice to rejoice and be happy now? Isaiah 40:31 tells us that ‘But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint’.

It’s Not My Fault

In the book of Genesis, God confronts Adam and Eve about eating the forbidden fruit. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the devil. No one was willing to face the truth and admit their mistake. We need to take responsibility for our mistakes and admit our mistakes if we want to move forward. When we admit our mistakes and repent of our sins, we are forgiven, and we can move forward. So when you do something wrong, don’t shift the blame. Confess, ask for forgiveness and move on forward.

Self-Pity

When we dwell in self-pity, we are not making the decision to move forward. Instead, we would probably feel even more miserable than before! Isaiah 61:3 says ‘….to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified’. God wants to give us beauty for ashes. But first, we need to surrender to Him.

We live in a world where there is much uncertainty. People can take lots of things away from you, but no one can take away your good attitude. No matter what is happening in your life right now, it is not too late to change. It may be difficult, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible. Let God be in charge!