Keeping a Good Attitude in Bad Times
Habakkuk 3:18
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
When you read the verse above without looking at its context, you would immediately agree with Habakkuk. However, this statement when taken in context is much greater than one would imagine. He made this statement after he prophesied of the evil that would come upon Israel. Some of the things that were said before this statement were that the fig tree would no longer blossom, troops would invade the land, the flocks and herds would be taken away and the people would be taken captive. These were certainly bad times that Israel was going to come across. Habakkuk was teaching them in this verse how to keep a good attitude in bad times.
First, he said that he would "...rejoice in the LORD,..." The word "rejoice" means to re-joy. In other words, when looking at circumstances in bad times, you must look to the past to get your joy. Times may currently be bad, but they have not always been bad; therefore, you must look to your past circumstances to get joy.
When you look to the past, you can certainly see that the LORD has blessed you. When you look to the past, you can see how the LORD provided your needs in the past. When you look to the past, you can see how the LORD was there for you during your tough times. When you look to the past, you can see all the blessings that the LORD sent your way. Though dwelling on circumstances is rarely advised, if you choose to dwell on your circumstances, then you must also look to the past. Every person has a way of forgetting the bad in their past. It is amazing how many people talk of their past as if everything was perfect. Why? Because time has a way of causing us to forget the hard times. Therefore, you can keep a good attitude in bad times by looking at past circumstances.
Second, you can keep a good attitude in bad times by dwelling on your salvation. Habakkuk said, "...I will joy in the God of my salvation." Notice that it is a choice to dwell on your salvation. He said, "I will..." There will be times when you have to will yourself to dwell on your salvation. Your flesh wants to dwell on circumstances, but you must will yourself to dwell on your salvation. Your flesh desires to mope around seeking sympathy for the bad times, but you must will yourself to dwell on your salvation.
How does dwelling on our salvation help us to have a good attitude in bad times? It helps because nothing can change your salvation. It doesn't matter what you are facing, it cannot change your salvation. Bad finances will not change your salvation. Home foreclosures will not change your salvation. Bad health will not change your salvation. Losing your retirement will not change your salvation. Whatever you face in life cannot change your salvation. When you dwell on your salvation, you will find that you can have joy, for joy comes from within.
Finally, it is interesting that when dwelling on circumstances we must go to the past, but when dwelling on our salvation we can live in the present. One causes you to live in the present without having to look at any circumstance. Of the two, dwelling on your salvation is the best. It is rarely good to dwell on circumstances, for if you do you will find your emotions will be up and down. However, if you must dwell on circumstances, then choose to rejoice in your past circumstances. The best way to keep a good attitude in bad times is to take your eyes off the circumstances and place them on something that will never change, your salvation. By dwelling on your salvation you will find a well of joy that will never end. It won't matter what you face when dwelling on your salvation, for nothing can change it; thus, you will find yourself constantly having a good attitude in bad times.