"Attitude Determines Altitude" by Kenneth Sullivan Jr. (06/22/2025)

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude: Rising Above Life's Challenges

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to soar through life's challenges while others struggle to get off the ground? The secret often lies not in their circumstances, but in their attitude. Just as a plane's altitude is determined by its angle of ascent, our life's trajectory is shaped by our perspective and approach to the world around us.

Let's explore this powerful truth through the lens of one of the Bible's most beloved figures: David. Long before he became the celebrated King of Israel, David was just a young man with an extraordinary attitude that set him apart.

The Power of an Attractive Attitude

David's story teaches us that our attitude can be our greatest asset. It's not just about how we feel internally; it's about how we present ourselves to the world. David's attitude was so attractive that people actively sought him out. When King Saul needed someone to play music and lift his spirits, his servants recommended David, describing him as "a man of valor, prudent in speech, a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him" (1 Samuel 16:18).

This description reveals something profound: David's attitude was shaped by his relationship with God. It gave him a certain glow, a confidence, and an optimism that was rare and magnetic. People wanted to be around him because his presence made them feel good.

Reflect on this: What kind of energy do you bring into a room? Does your attitude attract people or repel them? Remember, your attitude can enhance your attractiveness far beyond physical appearance. It can open doors, create opportunities, and draw people to you in ways you might never have imagined.

Adjusting Your Attitude in Challenging Environments

Life isn't always smooth sailing, and David's story illustrates this perfectly. As he grew in popularity, he faced increasing hostility from King Saul. Yet, even in this toxic environment, David maintained his composure and continued to serve with excellence.

This teaches us a crucial lesson: we must learn to adjust our attitudes, especially in difficult situations. Like a thermostat that regulates temperature, our attitude should be able to adapt to and influence our environment. When faced with coldness or hostility, we should aim to warm things up with kindness and friendliness. In heated situations, we should strive to cool things down with calmness and wisdom.

David "behaved himself wisely" (1 Samuel 18:5) in all his ways. He didn't allow Saul's erratic behavior and unfair treatment to poison his own character or actions. Instead, he remained in control of his responses, showing us that while we can't control others' actions, we can always control our reactions.

Consider: How do you respond when faced with unfair treatment or hostile environments? Are you able to maintain your integrity and positive attitude, or do you allow others' negativity to bring you down?

Taking the High Road: The Path to Ascension

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of maintaining a positive attitude is resisting the urge to retaliate when wronged. David had multiple opportunities to exact revenge on Saul, but he consistently chose to take the high road.

This decision wasn't about being weak; it was about being wise. David understood a profound truth: sometimes, the path to elevation requires us to rise above conflict rather than engage in it. By refusing to attack Saul, even when provoked, David preserved his integrity and ultimately strengthened his claim to the throne.

This principle applies to our lives today. When faced with conflict or unfair treatment, our natural instinct might be to fight fire with fire. However, the wisest course of action often involves avoiding unnecessary conflict and trusting God to vindicate us in His time.

Remember the words of Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This is the attitude that truly allows us to ascend in life, both spiritually and in our relationships with others.

Elevating Your Altitude

There's a powerful illustration that captures the essence of this message: A pilot on a long-distance flight heard the frightening sound of a rat gnawing inside the plane. Realizing the potential danger, he came up with an ingenious solution. Instead of panicking, he decided to climb to a higher altitude, knowing that rats can't survive at great heights. As he ascended, the gnawing ceased, and upon landing, he found the dead rat.

This story serves as a perfect metaphor for how we should handle life's challenges. When faced with people or situations that threaten to bring us down or "gnaw" at our peace, the solution is often to elevate ourselves – not physically, but spiritually and mentally.

We can raise our altitude by:

1. Taking our prayer life to a higher level
2. Increasing our praise and gratitude
3. Elevating our faith and trust in God
4. Lifting our thought life to focus on what is good and noble
5. Raising our overall outlook and perspective on life

By doing so, we rise above the petty conflicts and negativity that threaten to drag us down. We create an internal environment where negativity cannot survive, just as the rat couldn't survive at high altitudes.

A Call to Ascend

As we reflect on these powerful truths, let's challenge ourselves to cultivate an attitude that determines a higher altitude for our lives. Remember, it's not about pretending everything is perfect or ignoring real problems. It's about choosing to respond to life's challenges with wisdom, grace, and an unwavering trust in God's plan for our lives.

Your attitude truly is your greatest asset. It can attract opportunities, help you navigate difficult relationships, and ultimately determine how high you will soar in life. So, let's commit to developing an attitude that reflects the character of Christ – one of love, patience, kindness, and wisdom.

As you go about your day, ask yourself: Is my current attitude helping me ascend to where God wants me to be? Am I allowing temporary setbacks or others' negativity to keep me grounded, or am I choosing to rise above?

Remember, the sky's the limit when your attitude is aligned with God's purpose for your life. So spread your wings, adjust your attitude, and prepare to soar to new heights!