Attitude Is Everything

Jason Malham

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)

 There is nothing that has a greater impact on our lives than our own attitude.  Consider Paul and Silas.  They had undergone at Philippi what could only be described as spiteful treatment.  (1Thess. 2:2)

They were manhandled by men who dragged them to the city authorities. They were afforded no trial — no benefit of the doubt. They were stripped naked and beaten with rods.  They were bruised and humiliated.  They were thrown into prison as though they were outlaws and heavily guarded as though they were the vilest of them. (Acts 16:19-24)

Their feet were fastened in stocks which history teaches were long wooden beams that kept the prisoner’s legs spread apart insuring that they remained immobile.  At midnight, when most were found sleeping, Paul and Silas were trying to find courage and strength.  While most others were dreaming, they were aching and bleeding.

Yet even the most brutal abuse could not drive them to despair.  They were “praying and singing hymns to God”.  Even the most savage treatment could not smother their desire to praise God.  Why?  Paul and Silas had outstanding attitudes.  That’s why.

Be advised that without proper attitude nothing good can be accomplished in our lives.  Without a godly disposition, every spiritual molehill will seem an insurmountable mountain.  Without an attitude that looks unto Jesus, we will be weighed down and beset.  (Heb.12:1-2)

But if ours is an attitude that recognizes Jesus Christ as a constant, powerful force in our lives, we can do all things through Him.  (Phil. 4:13)  There will never be an affliction so oppressive as to shake our faith or quench our zeal if we have an appropriate attitude.  Attitude is everything.