What he was preaching was attitude. Not attitude of the variety of sullenness or hostility. But attitude as in a state of mind or disposition. Though it may sound trite to some, that's the way I've always thought of Jesus' declarations of blessedness in the Sermon on the Mount—as "be-attitudes," instructions on how to think and live in a manner that will inevitably bring blessings.
Viewed this way, the fourth beatitude—"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" Matt. 5:6.—seems particularly promising. Who, at some point in life, hasn't hungered and thirsted after one thing or another? Maybe it's a need for health or companionship. Money to pay bills. Even a need for faith in God. Given life's constant demands, I can't think of a better assurance than one that says there's a hungering that will leave us filled. And, as I've seen in my own life, this hungering actually brings blessings far beyond our initial expectations. The key is to be clear about what one's needs really are.
There was a time when I desperately needed money to pay the bills, and I felt a tremendous fear of not being able to put food on the table for my wife and children or keep a roof over our heads. I had taken every step I could think of to ameliorate the situation. And, as is my practice, I had also prayed long and hard—but apparently to no avail. The situation looked pretty hopeless.
