Our attitudes affect our destiny – Part 7

One question we have to answer is: To what extent do attitudes affect the end result of our destiny? Without any shadow of doubt, our attitudes influence and affect the end result of our destiny. Some Christians believe that a God-ordained destiny effortlessly fulfils itself no matter our attitudes to life. Destiny is not auto-driven, but self-driven by our faith and attitudes. We are God-enabled to fulfil our destiny, but our attitude is necessary to actualise our destiny. Another question that has been asked is: Are some destined to fail and others destined to succeed? Our answer is that a God-ordained destiny can be impaired or enhanced by our attitudes and habits. Like we must have heard, “destiny is a choice.”

Attitudes and habits affect the outcome of our lives. This is why Charles Swindoll said that, “attitude is everything.” Some Christians have great potentials, but their habits and attitudes impair their achievements in life. Some are good starters on any project in life, but finish poorly on the project they embark upon. Other Christians are poor starters, but good finishers. Yet, others are good starters and good finishers. Poor attitudes affect our destiny, just as good attitudes also affect the outcome of our destiny.

I have just returned from an African country, where I sat down with my host to analyse the indigenes of that country’s attitudes to discipleship and how it affects the outcome of their lives. They are quick to identify with you, but can hardly commit themselves to a long-term mentoring and discipleship. This discussion brought me to the conclusion that attitudes affect our destinies.
Good Finishers, Poor Finishers

Good starters and good finishers tend to have a different attitude, which good starters and poor finishers don’t have. It takes vision, courage, perseverance, resilience, commitment, patience, hard work and industry to be a good starter and a good finisher. On the other hand, impatience, laziness, procrastination and doubt affect the end result of our destiny. The Scriptures is meant to help us work and improve on our attitudes. The Bible teaches us to have morals, good ethics and values. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are highly recommended for constant reading by those who are interested in fulfilling their destiny. In these books, Solomon advises on attitudes that could make one a good starter and good finisher. Let us not forget that Solomon wrote these two books from his personal experience as a good starter but poor finisher and one who scuttled God’s destiny for his life.

We can x-ray the attitudes of each of the Bible characters and see how they eventually fulfilled their destiny. In Part 3 of our series on Destiny, we identified five types of people in the Bible with regards to fulfilment of their destiny. While some fulfilled their destiny, others did not fulfil theirs. Some, like Saul and Judas, aborted their destiny. But others like Samson and Jabez fought against personal and environmental handicaps to fulfil their destiny. The last group was those who manipulated the destiny of others like Jacob.

What traits do those who fulfilled their destiny have, which others do not have? For instance, what attitudes do Jesus and Apostle Paul have, both of who fulfilled their destinies, which men like Saul did not have? What attitudes did David have, which his son, Solomon lacked, which accounted for the way they both ended? Child of God, work on your attitudes, as they affect the outcome of your destiny. Contact: pastoracukachi@gmail.com