Attitude: Batesville Christian Church

January 1 is a time for setting goals, making New Year’s Resolutions, and starting diets.  

A woman who had devised a new diet plan that would help her lose weight.  She taped to the refrigerator door a picture of a woman in a swimsuit, reasoning that this would serve as motivation to eat less.  If she wanted to lose weight and look like that picture, she’d make fewer trips to the refrigerator.  

A month later she was telling one of her girlfriends about the new diet.  Her friend asked, “Is it working?”

“Well,” she admitted “Yes” and “No.”

“Yes and No?  What do you mean?” her friend asked.

“Well, I’ve lost ten pounds…but my husband has gained 20!”

Good luck with your dieting!  As we start this new year we all must choose our Attitude for  2026—whether to Complain or to Appreciate. Focusing on our blessings should provide a fresh perspective to the challenges we all encounter.  It begins with appreciating all that God has done for us.  

We have the power to choose to Complain or to Appreciate.  The apostle Paul wrote these words of inspiration from a Roman prison as reminds us to…

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…”    Philippians 2:14, 15

Chuck Swindoll observed, “Many people eat their hearts out, suffering from the contagious “If Only” disease.  Its germs infect every slice of life—

If only I had more money

If only we owned a nicer home

If only we hadn’t made that bad investment 

If only I hadn’t come from such a bad background

If only she had stayed married to me

If only we could have children

If only we didn’t have children

If only my husband hadn’t died so young

If only I hadn’t had that accident

If only people would accept me as I am

If only I had more friends       

Appreciation is the antidote for “If Only” disease.  In fact, a positive attitude will generate gratitude to God and a better outlook on life.  An unknown poet penned,

“I have never made a fortune and I’ll never make one now,                                 

But it really doesn’t matter ‘cause I’m happy anyhow.

As I go along my journey I’m reaping better than I’ve sowed;

I’m drinking from the saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

“I don’t have a lot of riches and sometimes the going’s tough.

But while I’ve got friends to love me I think I’m rich enough.

I’ll just thank God for the blessing that His mercy has bestowed-

I’m drinking from the saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

“If God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and rough, I’ll not ask for other blessings; I’m already blessed enough.

May I never be too busy to help bear another’s load—Then I’ll be 

Drinking from the saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.”  

Appreciate or complain.  The choice is ours.

Jeff Stone

Lead Minister-Batesville Christian Church