An American shoe representative was sent to a remote region of Africa. Before long, he wired the home office: “Selling shoes in this part of the world is pointless! Nobody here wears shoes!”

He returned home, and the manufacturer sent another representative. This one wired back order after order. “Everybody in this part of the world needs shoes!” he explained.

Both sales representatives encountered the same situation, but their different perspectives or attitudes brought different results.

That story may be apocryphal, but it’s a great introduction to this issue of Activated.

In the midst of personal and professional pressures, it’s hard to maintain a positive attitude 100% of the time. I think most of us believe we’re at least generally positive, but if we asked our best friend or spouse for an honest assessment, would they agree?

The Bible teaches that attitude isn’t something we’re given or born with. A healthy, positive attitude must be cultivated and developed from within. It can’t be bought. It can’t be manufactured. It doesn’t rely on outside influences, such as friends, family, teachers, bosses, coworkers, or the media. It begins with a decision—one that God’s Word invites us to make:

“Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” 1

Let’s choose each day and every day to keep an attitude of faith and joy and belief and compassion.

  1. Philippians 4:8 TLB