This document discusses changing negative attitudes to positive ones through focusing on thankfulness. It provides examples of attitudes to change, such as being critical to loving, rebellious to submissive, and proud to humble. Two important attitudes highlighted are changing from complaining to thankfulness and doubting to faith. Examples are given from the Bible of how Israel failed by not being thankful, welcoming blessings but not the giver, focusing on obstacles, and listening to bad advice. Tools are provided for preemptively changing thoughts, such as practicing thanksgiving, knowing God's promises, focusing on past deliverances and Christ, and choosing good company. The importance of choosing a thankful attitude is emphasized as it displaces complaining and brings joy.

1. Change Your Attitude

2. What is an Attitude?“An Attitude is a Pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time”We bring/use an Attitude in most situations.Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. …2

3. Many Attitudes to ChangeCritical Attitude for a Loving AttitudeRebellious Attitude for a Submissive AttitudeProud Attitude for a Humble AttitudeUnsatisfied Attitude for an Attitude of Contentment3

4. Two Important AttitudesComplaining Attitude for an Attitude of ThanksgivingDoubting Attitude for anAttitude of Faith 4

5. Examples NOT to follow1 Corinthians 10:1-13“happened as a warning to us”“God was not pleased with most of them”“Nor should we put Christ to the test”“and don’t grumble”“These things happens as examples”“temptations in your life are no different”5

6. Why did Israel Fail?Unthankful to God for BlessingsWelcomed the blessingBut the Giver went thankless.Hyper-Focus on the ObstaclesForces out any memory of past victories.Listening to Bad Advice and Bad Company (Rabble)Numbers 11:1-4Result = Attitude of ComplainingResult = Attitude of Fear and Doubt6

7. Why did Israel Fail?“Destructive Rumination”Ruminate - to replay asituation in your mind repeatedly and slowlyDestructive Rumination - Modify scenarios pessimistically and replay them repeatedly and slowlyDestructive Rumination transforms thoughts into7

8. The Faithful AttitudePreemptive Strike ToolsPractice ThanksgivingKnowing God’s PromisesRuminate on past DeliveranceFocus on ChristGood CompanyCaleb 8

9. Replacing a Complaining Attitude…“Complaining is an attitude choice that if left unchallenged will wither your capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness.”Yuk!9

10. Thanksgiving Commanded!Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 10

11. A Thankful Attitude is…A Thankful Attitude perfectly displaces our sinful tendency to complain and releases Joy and Grace into our lives1How well will you do on the “Sunday Test?”1.Lord Change my Attitude, James MacDonald11

12. The Sunday TestIs Worship going to be any good today?I wonder who the Praise Singers are today?I will join in praise even if the singing is not excellent. (Adopt God’s View)I hope the Sermon will be interesting today.I’m thank God for the time put into the Sermon and I am determined to take something good away.It’s 10:00… I closing my bible and disengaging my brain.Wow! It’s 10:05? That went fast!I will take away some things from this study to change my thinking.Man is this study going slow!I doubt God even cares about me.I know he will bless me today.Focus away from what we could receive and give (thankful) towards what we want (complain.)12

13. Pivot Point in Choosing AttitudeQuick!!!Pivot PointEngagePastThinkingStop & Think13

14. Choosing ThankfulnessPreemptive Strike ToolsPractice ThanksgivingPositive Biblical PromisesRuminate on past BlessingsFocus on ChristGood Company14

15. Preemptive Strike ToolsPreemptive Strike ToolsPractice ThanksgivingOptimisticAttitudePositive Biblical PromisesRuminate on past BlessingsFocus on ChristGood Company15

16. Preemptive Strike ToolsIncorporating God’s PromisesTaking the Intimidating out of MeditatingJohn 14:27Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor letit be fearful.Gift of PeaceIt’s a really GOOD giftChoose in faith16

17. 2. Ruminate on Past BlessingsOur older Servants consistently tell us…John MaurelliThanksgivingLaurie IannacconeRuminate on Past BlessingsWrite them downAsk God to Remind of forgotten Blessings17

18. Paul’s Attitude by ExamplePhilippians 1:14-18 And because of my imprisonment… It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. These do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 18

19. Paul’s Attitude by ExamplePivot PointChooses to be Thankful Stops to Think

20. What Good can I find in this?