A bad attitude is like a flat tyre; it holds you back, and you won’t get very far until you change it. Our attitude is one of the most important things in life, and here are four ways we can keep a good one:

1) Realise your attitude needs to be constantly adjusted. Anything we don’t maintain eventually deteriorates. The stronger we’re inclined towards doubt and negativity, the more we’ll have to work at keeping a good attitude. So begin each day with an attitude check, and throughout the day, look for signs that you’re not doing so well.

2) Pray, because you’ll need God’s help to maintain a good attitude. The Bible says: ‘Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you’ (Psalm 37:3-5 NLT).

3) Look for what’s good, and you'll find it. Mother Teresa required two things from those who worked with her in the Calcutta slums: a desire to work, and a joyful attitude. Even if the circumstances you’re in aren’t joyful, look out for God at work and take joy in seeing the moments where His love shines through.

4) Look for people with faith and spend time with them. Faith helps us soar above the doubters like eagles. If you’re having a bad day, chat to a faithful friend or listen to a podcast by a pastor or speaker who's overflowing with faith. If you know someone who’s having difficulty, try being the one to take the lead and inspire their faith, and make things easier. David paused seven times a day to praise God. Imagine what that could do to help lift your attitude!

What Now?

Each day this week, see how many of the four points in today’s reading you can work through. But don’t worry if you can’t manage to do them all in one day – maybe God is leading you to focus on one particular area.