There is practically no one on earth who does not desire a better tomorrow, but the reality of experiencing a better tomorrow hinges on something called attitude. Being in Christ Jesus gives you the foundation and spiritual platform to walk into a brighter future; however, without the right attitude, even divine opportunities can be missed.
Jeff Keller defines attitude as “the mental filter through which you experience the world.” He explains that some people look at life through the lens of optimism—seeing the glass as half full—while others see the same situation through the lens of pessimism—viewing the glass as half empty. Your perspective determines your interpretation of life, and your interpretation ultimately shapes your destiny.
With the right attitude, certain challenges are meant to lift you, stretch you, and prepare you for where God is taking you. But with a negative attitude, the same situations can look like the very things that will destroy you.
A person with a positive attitude sees obstacles as steppingstones, while someone with a negative attitude views even the smallest barrier as an insurmountable mountain. The choice is yours, but you must understand that your perspective has direct consequences for your future.
Before you complain about your current situation, let me remind you of some individuals who emerged into a better tomorrow from the ashes of adversity.
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison under apartheid, facing isolation, hard labor, and emotional pain. Yet he refused to allow bitterness to define him. Instead, he turned prison into a classroom, using the time to study, reflect, and prepare for leadership. He came out with forgiveness rather than revenge and eventually became South Africa’s first Black president. Mandela famously said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” His suffering shaped his character, vision, and discipline.
Consider Oprah Winfrey, who grew up in deep poverty and suffered sexual abuse as a child. She became pregnant at 14, and her baby died shortly after birth. Yet she refused to allow trauma to dictate her future. Instead, she leaned on education, resilience, and her natural gift for communication. What could have destroyed her became the foundation for empathy, emotional intelligence, and her passion to help others heal. Today, she stands as one of the most influential women in the world.
Think about Nick Vujicic, born without arms and legs. As a child, he battled depression, bullying, and hopelessness and even attempted suicide at age 10. But when he surrendered his pain to God, everything changed. He discovered that his physical limitations did not limit God’s purpose for his life. Today, Nick travels the world proclaiming hope, faith, and courage. He often says, “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart.”
And consider Joseph in the Bible. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison, yet he maintained integrity, faithfulness, and a right attitude. While in prison, he developed his God-given gifts, which eventually brought him before Pharaoh and led to his appointment as prime minister of Egypt. Reflecting on his journey, he later said, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good” (Genesis 50:20). His suffering shaped his wisdom, compassion, and leadership.
Another character is Jephthah, who turned a painful experience into gain through the right attitude by refusing to be defeated by rejection and humiliation. Despite being cast out by his family and labeled a worthless outcast, he used the situation as motivation to develop his leadership and warrior skills. His perseverance and focus on his purpose eventually led to him being called upon to lead Israel against the Ammonites, turning his earlier rejection into an opportunity for honor, influence, and fulfillment of God’s plan.
These individuals all turned pain into gain because of attitude. So, what is your excuse for wanting to give up?
The man who buried his talent in Matthew 25 shows how a negative attitude—fear, doubt, and laziness, can prevent a person from using their gifts and seizing opportunities. He focused on potential loss rather than potential gain, and as a result, his talent went to waste. In contrast, those with a positive attitude embraced their talents with courage, diligence, and faith. They took risks, worked to grow their gifts, and turned opportunities into meaningful gain. This contrast highlights that it is not the size of the talent but the mindset toward it that determines whether it bears fruit or remains buried.
You may be facing something painful right now, but Scripture assures you:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful… He will make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”
1 Corinthians 10:13
There is someone somewhere going through something harder than what you are facing, yet they have not given up, because they have chosen the right attitude. They believe that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The difference between those who rise above challenges and those who do not is attitude.
- The person with a negative attitude says, “I can’t.”
- The person with a positive attitude declares, “I can.”
- The person with a negative attitude focuses on problems.
- The person with a positive attitude concentrates on solutions.
- The person with a negative attitude finds faults in others.
- The person with a positive attitude looks for the good in others.
Examine your attitude today. Through the lens of Scripture, you can predict where you will find yourself tomorrow. Your attitude is the bridge between where you are and where God intends you to be.
Key Areas to Watch
When it comes to attitude, there are many areas that deserve attention, but three are particularly critical: your attitude toward God, your attitude toward challenges, and your attitude toward others. These areas play a significant role in shaping your tomorrow.
Your attitude toward God is foundational. Choose gratitude over complaint, knowing that everything He allows in your life is ultimately for your good. When you fail to see situations from a positive perspective in your relationship with God, you risk missing the blessings hidden within those experiences.
Every circumstance God brings is meant for your growth and edification, not to harm you, but this truth can only be appreciated through the right attitude.
Your attitude toward challenges determines how you respond to life’s difficulties. Challenges are designed for our benefit, even when they feel uncomfortable or threatening. Take David as an example: had he developed a negative attitude toward the wilderness, where he faced lions and bears, would he have had the courage to confront Goliath? He did not give in to fear or despair. Instead, his faith and perspective strengthened him, allowing him to declare, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). Challenges, when approached with the right attitude, prepare us for greater victories.
Your attitude toward others is equally important. When we treat others poorly because of past hurts or negative perceptions, we reveal a destructive mindset. A positive attitude, on the other hand, allows us to treat everyone with respect and dignity. It helps us recognize the good in people and encourages us to love in a Christlike way. Moreover, a positive attitude toward others often opens the door to the favor of men. If you find that people are not favorably disposed toward you, it may be time to examine your attitude.
Cultivating a good attitude toward God, challenges, and others positions you to enjoy favor, experience growth, and step into a better tomorrow.
Conclusion
Attitude is the key that unlocks the door to a better tomorrow. It shapes how we perceive God, face challenges, and relate to others, and it determines whether the blessings, opportunities, and talents in our lives bear fruit or go to waste. Those who rise above adversity, from Joseph and Jephthah to Mandela, Oprah, and Nick Vujicic, demonstrate that pain, rejection, or limitation can be transformed into growth, influence, and purpose when met with the right mindset.
Your attitude acts as a bridge between where you are today and where God intends you to be tomorrow. A negative attitude focuses on fear, complaints, and limitations, while a positive attitude embraces faith, gratitude, perseverance, and love. By choosing the right attitude toward God, challenges, and others, you position yourself to experience favor, fulfill your purpose, and walk confidently into a brighter future.
Remember: your tomorrow is not determined solely by circumstances, but by the attitude you carry today. Choose wisely, for it will shape the life you will live and the legacy you will leave.
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