Maintaining our attitude even in the midst of problems
Psalms 34:1-4
Introduction
There was a man who was flying in an airplane with his friend who was giving him some personal
flying lessons. So the man was looking at all the instruments but there was one in particular that
the pilot kept looking at and so he asked him what was it?
The pilot replied, that it is called the “Altimeter” which determines my altitude. In flying, the
altitude of the plane is what he called the position of the aircraft in relation to the horizon. When
the airplane is climbing it has a nose high altitude because the nose of the plane is pointed above
the horizon. So when the aircraft is diving you would call that a nose down altitude.
Since the performance of the airplane depends on its altitude, it is necessary to change the altitude
in order to change the performance.
Now after studying this information I began to think about this in relation to a persons attitude.
Does not a persons attitude dictate his performance. So I began to think that what if a person had
an attitude indicator that continually evaluates a persons perspective and achievements in life.
What happens when the attitude is dictating undesirable results? How can the attitude be
changed? And, if the attitude changes, what are the ramifications to other people around you?
But one thing that I have come to know that in every aircraft there is what is called a “Flying
Manual.” So we who are Christians have a operating manual and it is called the “Bible.”
The apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Philippi, placed before those Christians an attitude
indicator. He said in Philippians 2:5, “Have this mind (attitude) in yourselves which was also in
Christ Jesus.”
Christ gives us a perfect example to follow in regards to attitude. His high standard was not given
to frustrate us but to reveal areas in our lives that need improvement. Whenever I study
Philippians 2:3-8, I am reminded of the healthy attitude qualities that Jesus possessed.
Turn to Philippians 2:3-8
1. He was selfless: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind
let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for
your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Verse 4)
2. He was secure: “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with
God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being
made in the likeness of men.” (Verses 6,7)
3. He was submissive: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death of a cross” (Verse 8)
Paul says that these qualities were exhibited in the life of Christ because of His attitude. He also
says that we can have the same attitude in our lives. We have a visual example of a Christian
attitude and we are also encouraged to attain it.
Romans 12:1,2
“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy
sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed (How) by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
But Attitude: What Is It?
Hardly a day passes without the word “Attitude” entering a conversation. It may be used as a
complaint or a compliment. It could mean the difference between a promotion or a demotion.
Sometimes we sense it, other times we see it. Yet it is difficult to explain.
The attitude is an inward feeling expressed by behavior. That is why an attitude can be seen
without a word being said.
The Bible teaches us that, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). “The heart is more deceitful than all else and
is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). These statements express our
inability to know for sure what emotions are going on inside someone else. Yet, while we refrain
from judging others by their outward expressions, many times the outward actions become a
“window to the soul.” A person who gives “a look that kills,” probably is not inwardly singing,
“Maybe God is trying to tell you something.”
Since an attitude often is expressed by our body language and by the looks on our faces, it can be
contagious. Have you noticed what happens to a group of people when one person, by his
expression, reveals a negative attitude? Or have you noticed the lift you receive when a friend’s
facial expression shows love and excitement?
Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts. All vultures see is rotting
meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the
smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The
vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and
gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness
and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.
David’s music and presence encouraged a troubled King Saul. Scripture tells us “the spirit of the
LORD departed Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him” The kings men were told
to find someone who could lift their ruler’s sprit. They brought David into the palace and “Saul
loved him greatly. .....And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David now stand before me; for he
has found favor in my sight.’ So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul,
David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and
the evil spirit would depart from him”
Sometimes the attitude can be masked outwardly and others who see us are fooled. But usually
the cover-ups will not last long. There is that constant struggle as the attitude tries to wiggle its
way out.
SO HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR ATTITUDE EVEN IN THE MIDST OF
PROBLEMS
Which brings us to our scripture text
Historical background: David being chased by Saul
1. Saul was jealous of David
2. The crowd was yelling, “David has killed his ten-thousands and Saul.....”
3. The music that once gave peace to Sauls souls now brings hatred when David played
4. So David was hiding out in a cave in the mountains
Now logically David should have been afraid and terrified in which he was but somehow his
attitude would not allow his spirit to be discouraged.
I can hear David saying, “I may be in a messed up situation right now, I may have my back
literally against the wall right now, Those whom I trusted are trying to kill me right now, but in
spite of all that, God is still good.”
But somehow even in the midst of David’s problems he still found it somehow to give God some
praise. Somehow David found it easy to turn a bad situation into a reason to give God some
praise and worship.
Why? Because David had some history with God when it came to troubles which molded his
attitude. God was with David when he killed the lion and the bear. God was with David when he
defied the odds when he fought and defeated Goliath. So therefore if God was with him during
those times then surely he was still with him even now as he was going through these troubles.
And because of that history with God it molded David’s attitude from:
Could be to, Yes God can
Might be, to you better believe it.
From I hope, to Aint God good
But in our text this morning David gives us a Three-Fold Process of Praise in order to give us a
godly example of attitude toward our problems.
1. PRAISE BEGINS WITH THE WILL (Verse 1)
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” His attitude
reflects a determination to rejoice regardless of the situation.
Rejoice in spite of sickness
Rejoice in spite of a bad relationship
Rejoice in spite of a job termination
Rejoice in spite of a failed economy
Rejoice in spite of a child on drugs
Rejoice in spite of a broken heart
Rejoice when all have turned their backs and walked away
Rejoice when you cant see your way out
So as David was in the cave and it did not look good, he chose his attitude to portray which
molded his spirit which transformed his actions.
2. PRAISE FLOWS TO THE EMOTION (Verse 2)
“My soul shall make its boast in the LORD.” Now David is praising the Lord not only because
it’s right but also because he feels like it.
Now David knew that it was right to praise the Lord, Why?
Because he knew that God was the Alpha and Omega
Because he knew that God was the Creator
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Jiriah (The God that provides)
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Shemiah (The God that is always near)
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Rapha (The God that heals)
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Nisi (The God that fights our battles)
So David knew that it was right for him to praise God just for who God was and is, but he chose
to praise Him because he felt like it. He felt like praising God because he knew what God was
personally to him.
He was his protector
He was his sustainer
He was his forgiver
We ought to praise God because we feel like it. Because we know where He has brought us
from. Because we know he has been our battle axe. Because we know He made a way out of no
way. Because he is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
We ought to come to worship because we feel like it and not because it is right. Because when I
come to church because I feel like it, I am get something out of it, I receive a blessing, I receive
encouragement and I receive direction for my life in a world of turmoil and darkness.
3. PRAISE SPREADS TO OTHERS (Verses 2,3)
“The humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name
together.” David demonstrates that the desired performance “Praise” begins with an attitude that
is determined to do it.
When we lift up the name of God, we find joy
When we lift up the name of God, we find peace and transfer to those who have no peace,
When we lift up the name of God, we find hope in a world of chaos,
When we lift up the name of God, we give hope to others in despair
When we lift up the name of God, we comfort those who are confused.
I would rather spread my praise than a bad attitude
I would rather spread my praise than confusion and sadness
I would rather spread my praise than hatred and anger.
Even though David challenges us to maintain a spirit filled attitude in the midst of problems, Jesus
shows how to have a positive attitude in the face of unbelief and uncertainty.
We are challenged in John 2 with the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who said, “Whatever
He says to you, do it.” as it related to Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana.
As I go to my seat I want to remind you of the words of Mary, “Whatever Jesus says to you, do
it, even though:
1. You are not in the “right place”
They were at a wedding and not a church when Jesus performed the miracle. Some of God’s
greatest blessings will be at “other places” if we will be obedient to Him.
2. You have a lot of problems
They had run out of wine. Too many times our problems drive us away from Jesus instead of to
Him. Christian renewal begins when we focus on God’s power and not our problems.
3. You are not encouraged
Jesus said to those at the wedding, “My hour has not yet come.” Instead of being discouraged by
these words, Mary laid hold of the possibility of a miracle.
4. You have not walked with Him very long
The servants who obeyed Jesus had just met Him, and the disciples had just started following the
Lord, yet they were expected to obey Him.
5. You have not seen Him work miracles in your life.
This was our Lord’s first miracle. The people in this situation had to obey Him without His
having a previous track record.
6; You don’t understand the entire process
From this biblical story we can draw out a definition for obedience. It is listening to the words of
Jesus and doing His will. Inward obedience provides outward growth.
So I tell you today, what is an attitude?
It is the “advance man” of our true selves
It’s roots are inward but its fruit is outward
It is our best friend or our worst enemy
It is more honest and more consistent than our words.
It is an outward look based on past experiences
It is a thing which draws people to us or repels them.
It is never content until it is expressed
It is the librarian of our past
It is the speaker of our present.
It is the prophet of our future.
But Jesus has the best attitude of all. He went to the cross for all of humanity.
He endured the suffering of the cross in spite of the shame for us.\
A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. "You have lost an arm in the great
cause," he said. "No," said the soldier with a smile. "I didn’t lose it--I gave it." In that same way,
Jesus did not lose His life. He gave it purposefully.
