“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of human freedoms- to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”- Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
Mark Batterson states in Chapter 4 of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day that the most important choice we make every day is our attitude: “Your internal attitudes are far more important than your external circumstances.”
Pastor Batterson cites a fascinating study of Olympic medalists done by Vicki Medvec. Ms. Medvec found that bronze medalists were quantifiably happier than silver medalists. Because silver medalists fixated on how close they came to winning a gold medal, a silver medal was unsatisfactory. On the other hand, bronze medalists focused on how close they came to not winning a medal at all. They were happy just to be on the medal stand.
Pastor Batterson believes there are two basic types of people in the world: complainers and worshippers. Similar circumstances- different attitudes. As the author notes:
“The circumstances you complain about become chains that imprison you. And worship is the way out. . . . And when you are worshipful, your eyes are more open to notice the miracles that are happening around you all the time. . . . The outcome of your life will be determined by your outlook on life.”
Today’s question: During your desert, transitional journey, how have you been intentional in maintaining a worshipful attitude? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Zero gravity”
