Do you have a “I Can!” attitude or do you have a “I Cannot!” attitude?
A Can-Do attitude makes life interesting and always exciting. The opposite attitude makes everything dreary and overwhelming. Which camp do you fall into?
Recently, I have come across a few people with what I call a “victim mentality”. People who don’t want to really get out of their situations but want your sympathy. Sometimes they do want to get out of their situation but want someone else to help them out of it.
These people carry about them a “I cannot” attitude. Any solution offered to them is turned down as too difficult or not possible in their situation. Every and any alternative you offer is turned down with excuses. It is very frustrating to offer any advice as they only want help that they don’t have to do anything to get! Everything must be handed to them on a silver platter! And oh! of course everything is not their fault!
I write this to encourage us not have a victim mentality or a “I cannot” attitude. Don’t wallow in self-pity and the “woe is me” attitude. It is neither healthy nor helpful.
The Bible tells me through Paul, that, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.
Wow! Now that’s a wonderful promise to claim! Does that mean we should never feel overwhelmed? Of afraid or dreary? No! Of course not! But it should then make us wonder why we feel that way. These are the usual 2 things that cause us to feel overwhelmed and negative.
1. Only through Christ
We can only do all things when we abide in Christ. Because it is only through Christ that we can do all things. Therefore, when we are not abiding in Him, then we will not be able to do all things.
If I seem to be repeating myself, it is only because I am, even now, realizing how important it is to keep on abiding in Him so that I do not go on my own strength. And so that I bear fruit.
Remember :
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
So the next time you feel that you are overwhelmed – ask yourself (as I do on a regular basis) “Am I abiding in Christ? Am I doing things through Christ or on my own strength and wisdom?” Don’t just wallow in the “I can‘t” attitude!
2. Only His Call
Next, are we answering His and only His call on our lives? Or have we taken on more than we have been called to do?
I remember the story of a man who was asked by his master to carry one stone up a hill. But as he went on his way up the hill, he met many people who asked him to help them carry their stones up the hill for them. He happily obliged, thinking he was being kind-hearted. But halfway through, he couldn’t manage his load anymore. And he started to grumble and complain about the load he had to carry. Then his master appeared and asked him why he was carrying so many stones when all he’d asked the man to carry was one stone.
Are we like the man in the story? Are we doing what God has called us to do or have we bitten off more than what we can chew, albeit with good intentions? Then it is time to say “no”.
But first, you need to know what is God’s call on your life! Then you can measure all that is asked of you against that call and see if doing Project A, B or C brings you closer to answering the call or takes you away from it.
Eg. Say you are called to stay home to be with your young children. To raise them as warriors for the Kingdom of God. Then you are asked to lead a Bible Study group in Church or to help out at an outreach for abused children. This will take up a good portion of your time (preparation and all) Is it a good thing to do? Of course it is. But does that help you to answer God’s call on your life to stay home and be with your children? No, it doesn’t. You have to say “no”.
Back to our attitudes – so what kind of attitude do you have? “Can Do” or “Cannot Do”? I pray that this encourages you to keep looking to Jesus who will strengthen you to answer the call He has placed on your life.