02/05/2026
There’s an epidemic of bad attitudes because of a drought of high standards.
Having high standards isn’t about sticking your nose in the air. It’s about picking yourself up out of the mud and slop that is today’s status quo.
But higher standards doesn’t start with expecting more out of others, but out of ourselves.
-Higher Standard of Thinking-
Most people are trapped inside a box of negativity and fatalism locked with narcissism. In other words, they complain and complain about how nothing is ever going to change and how everything seems to be stacked against them. The barrier to to their happiness and well being is everyone else. But we have the power to control our thinking. Our thoughts either serve us or become our master.
Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
-Higher Standard of Living-
I’m not talking about a bigger house or fancier truck. I’m talking about who you are—integrity. Be absolute in keeping your word. Be the first to lend a hand and the last to quit. Be better than you were yesterday. For that matter, be better than everyone around you. Be better at loving, forgiving, working, helping, and being dependable than everyone else. Raise your own standards to raise the standards around you.
So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last. Matthew 20:16
-Higher Standard of Relationship-
Be the spouse you would like. Be the friend everyone wishes they had. Be the employee that others look up to or the boss that everyone wants to work for. Expect the best out of others because you expect the best from yourself. Hold yourself to the highest standard and watch others follow. Here’s a great way to start this process: If others are around, your phone should not be.
Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53
Everyone has power, some more than others, but everyone has power. Very few can control it though. How do I know? Because it’s wasted on trivialities, selfishness, and greed.
So, how can we get our power under control?
Remain Calm
We all have a fight or flight response. Powerful people have learned to do neither and have complete control over their words and actions. You only get this way through intense practice and intense practice happens through controlling yourself during little times of stress: Traffic, parent/teacher conferences, meetings, mares in heat, etc.
Control the Tongue
The first step in controlling the tongue is by not complaining or talking about others. This is very difficult, but produces the quickest strength and control. The second part of controlling the tongue is by telling the truth. I’m not talking about saying things others do not want to hear. The real test of the truth is you saying things that you don’t want others to hear (confessing your sins to one another).
Humility
The third step to control is humility. Humility is the power of God that is at your disposal. Humility is looked down on as being weak. It’s contrary to the way this world operates, but it isn’t weakness, it’s complete and utter power made available. Humility has the power to allow a person to not get their feelings hurt, not dwell on things people say, and the power to heal broken hearts.
The world needs more dangerous men that have it under voluntary control.
- Kevin Weatherby
www.savethecowboy.org
