In the blink of an eye, break is over, and we are back at school for the spring semester. For me, classes began last Thursday. As most college students understand, the struggle to get out of bed, walk to class, and begin a new semester can be grueling. Like everyone else, I was dreading the first day, where teachers just review the syllabus. It was 2:00 in the afternoon, and I was entering my psychology classroom with a bad attitude. From word of mouth and websites like rate my professor, I knew in advance that this class would be my hardest class of the semester. Walking in, I was already stressed about the amount of time and work I would be putting into this class in order to receive an A. In the midst of my stressful and despairing day, my professor began the class with a devotional. God spoke to me and every other student through my professor's devotional.
The entire devotional was about attitudes. My professor quoted Charles R. Swindoll to sum up the main point. Swindoll said, “The longer I live, the more I realize the importance of choosing the right attitude in life. Attitude is more important that facts…It is more important than your appearance, your giftedness, or your skills. It will make or break a company. It will cause a church to soar or sink. It will make the difference between a happy home or a miserable home. You have a choice each day regarding the attitude you will embrace.” Instantly, I snapped out of my depression and moodiness about the day and chose to stay positive.
In that first day of psychology class, God changed my perspective so I can enjoy my classes throughout the semester, no matter the amount of work or studying. I realized that a negative attitude about certain situations and people is not going to change the outcome God already has planned according to His will. In fact, thinking positively about school or work will actually help you to be more productive and learn faster. Because you are happy about what you are learning, you are training yourself to retain information that may not completely interest you. Of course, it is okay and healthy to allow different emotions and feelings to take place. However, when negative thoughts and feelings are what you feel towards everything, it is time to re-think your attitude.
The Bible says that each of us who are joyful in the Word will be blessed. Each of us has the choice to wake up on the right side of the bed! No matter what cards we are dealt or the tough journeys or situations God takes us through, we can always find positives in everything. It may take a while to find something good in a tragic circumstance, but through devotion to God and His Word, He will open your eyes and help you to see the positives in past relationships, friendships, and events. God gives us obstacles in order for us to grow and learn from them, which hopefully shapes us into better people. We all face choices and make minor decisions everyday that shape the way we work and interact with God and others. These minor decisions may not seem like a big deal in the moment, but in the long run, choosing positivity will lead to monumental differences in our lives. So, turn that frown upside down!