Job 2:9-10 – “Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God, and die!” ¹⁰ But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I saw the power of outlook and attitude.   That is not a new revelation but a reinforcement, encouragement, and challenge.

In Job’s encounter with the unseen devil, his attitude toward God overshadowed his self-pity moments.   He neared the deadly question, “Why? Why me? Why now? Why this?”   His faith shone through his darkness, and he expressed his confidence in God.

As I read the account in Mark 5 of the woman with the issue of blood, attitude became the focus, not her malady.  This woman violated the law and tradition by touching Jesus’ garment.   She was ceremonially unclean in her condition, and anyone or anything she touched became unclean.   But rather than condemning her, God healed her.  Desperate situations call for Desperate measures. Touching Jesus was all that mattered.

Jarius got word in Mark 5:35 that his little daughter had not survived the delay.   Jesus said, “Ignore it! Keep your focus on God and anchored in hope.”   He could have said, “Maintain a right attitude. Don’t lose focus.”   We are too easily distracted by the trial and open the door to destruction by allowing our attitude to shift from gratitude to one that allows self-pity or despair to prevail.

When the disciples forgot bread, Jesus warned of the yeast of the Pharisees & Herod (religious & civil authority); they missed the point.   Their focus (which shaped their attitude) was solely on the natural.  Jesus explained, “Wrong focus, boys!”   Let the experiences of victory propel you into the next victory. Let your attitude be, “With God, Nothing is Impossible!”

When Peter tried to correct Jesus in Mark 8, Jesus called him Satan.   That had to hurt!   His attitude, shaped by his outlook, was rooted in wrong motives and was a tool of the devil.  Peter had the revelation that Jesus was the Messiah but focused on the natural.

What we focus on is what we become or shapes how we become!   Who is Jesus to us?   Who are we to Him?   A right focus develops a right attitude, which elevates us to a right condition and lifts us into a right position.   From there, we perform the purposes of God!

LORD, help us to reject the question Why and embrace the question Why Not!