What attitudes should we cultivate to become the best version of ourselves in this new year? I know I need to change some of my default ways of thinking. I have some ingrained, but less than helpful approaches to life’s challenges. I want to change these attitudes that are holding me back! Every time I recognize one of these unhelpful attitudes I’m trying to replace it with a better outlook. Here are the things I’m working on. Maybe you’ll identify with some of my issues or maybe you have your own that you need to work on. Onward and upward!
“Head On” is my mantra for this new year. I want to meet my challenges head on this year instead of evading them in fear. No more getting lots of information but then not actually making a decision based on that information. Head on. No more “I’ll deal with it later.” when I see somthing that needs to be done. Head on. I’m ditching the defeatist attitude that kills an idea before I’ve bothered to try it. Head on. This is the year for me to grow in courage, decisiveness, and determination. What do you need to grow in this year? Here is my list of unhelpful thinking I want to avoid and the helpful thinking I’m working to cultivate. Do you see yourself in any of them?
What isn’t helpful:
Beating myself up for past failures. If I feel guilt and shame when I look back, I need to remind myself that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough to pay for all my wrongs. 
Thinking that is helpful:
Believing that I am fully forgiven and that God calls me onward and upward. God has more for me to accomplish.
“ But I press on . . . No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14
What isn’t helpful:
Being paralyzed in fear that I won’t make the right decision, or accomplish my goal
What is helpful:
Acknowledging that on my own, I can’t. But with the help of our powerful God, I can accomplish all he motivates me to do.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 1 Thessalonians 1:11
“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us . . .” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
What isn’t helpful:
Complaining about things I don’t like
What is helpful:
When I start grumbling and complaining, it’s a cue that I need to STOP and ask the Lord, “What can I do about this thing I don’t like? Please help me.” I cling to the fact that God cares, he hears, and he helps. There’s nothing too small or too big for him. He helps me take action instead of spinning my wheels wasting energy and time complaining. Sometimes the action is changing my attitude. Often times there are things I can do to improve the situation.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:13-15
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
What isn’t helpful:
Being disappointed and discouraged when my efforts don’t bring the results I want
What is helpful:
Knowing that all hard work has benefits whether it brings the results I hoped for or not. This applies to both intangible- working hard at being a mom and seeing children make bad choices, for instance. And it applies to tangible results. Even if my work doesn’t bring the monetary profit I hoped for, there is still benefit in work. My efforts are noticed by God. My efforts bring about growth in my character and will be rewarded in the next life, if not in this one.
“But God has seen your abuse and my hard work.” Genesis 31:42. Jacob to his brother-in-law
“All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” Luke 5:5
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. . . I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.“ Revelation 2:2.19 Jesus words from heaven to two different churches
What isn’t helpful:
Assuming I know what the best outcomes are and how to make them happen
What is helpful:
Trusting in an all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us
I get all riled up thinking things are terrible and out of control because they aren’t working out the way I think they should. In reality, God knows a whole lot better than me how things should go. He sees the future. He sees each heart and knows what needs to happen to bring each person to the best version of themselves. I can’t see five minutes, make that five seconds ahead, nor can I see into the hearts of others. I think it’s best to leave the outcomes to God!
“For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.” Isaiah 46:10