Do You Have an Attitude?

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27)

Do you sometimes find that your attitude is difficult to control?

What can you do when the “grouchies” take hold?

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude, and although my “choice” is to have a great attitude at all times, sometimes it’s just hard to shake off an unsettling bad or grouchy mood! It’s probably one of the most frustrating things I am challenged with, because I know that today’s attitude matters! And although attitude isn’t always obvious to others, the liabilities (to self) associated with a bad temperament can simply limit our potential and drag us down. According to scripture, our attitude towards life, circumstances, and towards others should be like the Lord’s. The attitude we that we show in our daily living is a witness to others.

“And to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23)

 If you think about it, our attitudes toward ourselves and others is a direct result of our attitude towards God, because we aren’t choosing (or acting or feeling) to be the way He wants us to become. After all, our attitudes are really the inner character of our heart and thoughts; they are hidden expressions and feelings that can eventually serve as a basis for our actions. Of course, there are certainly times when we have a legitimate reason to be upset about things, but God wants us to lean heavily upon Him and look to His Word. He wants us to look to Him to see what to do and how to react. Bad attitudes are responsible for needless worry, and God promises us that if we truly have an obedient heart--a good attitude--He will supply all our needs in abundance.

“If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God and others will approve of you too.” (Romans 14:18)

Our attitude is an indicator that shows God, others (and ourselves!) the work and ways that He is exhibited in us; it displays who Christ is in us. We have a responsibility to have the best attitude possible so that it will impact and be contagious to others. We love being around people with a great attitude; it’s uplifting, inspirational and contagious. And it’s definitely something that is positive and worthy of being shared and spread around! We need to lift others up, and bring our attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. There are days when it will take discipline to our thought life, and we will have to really submit our thoughts to those of Christ’s and disregard feelings of discontent, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.  

Linking up with Joan to "Share His Beauty"

Gift of Self

"Giving the gift of friendship and celebrating God's life could simplify the season and magnify the reason." (Lois Tupyi)

I believe that one of the best gifts God has given us is the privilege to give, and to take advantage of the energy that flows through our life and relationships by sharing. When we give the gift of friendship or when we share with someone who is lonely or unhappy we can feel the presence of God flow through us with love and compassion. When I do a good deed for someone it puts love in action! When I give myself away, I can just feel a passage opening up and allowing an abundance of happiness and grace in my heart that no one can ever steal from me. :) Too many times circumstances or the business of my life distracts me from giving and sharing myself with others, but when I do give it results in an experience of love, joy, peace, and caring.

"Even in the darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. God will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever." (Psalm 112:4-6)

 After all, the greatest gift God gave to us was His Son Jesus Christ, so the greatest gift we can give back to God is ourselves! God gave us the gift of eternal life so that we would have something precious to give back to Him. What a gift of love! He sent His one and only Son to earth as the most supreme gift of all; to die for our sins and give us everlasting life. Our God is full of compassion and He loves to give, and He thinks about us continuously all day and night. So I want to give back; I want to give and share a compliment, prayer, or a smile with everyone I come in contact with. And I want to gratefully thank God for all the gifts He has bestowed upon me and at the end of everyday, reflect on how I feel about the gifts I have given and received.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

 Linking up with Tracy at "My Daily Walk in His Grace"

Alone, but Never Lonely

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

(Psalms 34:17-18)

There is loneliness, and there is aloneness. Loneliness is different from being alone; at times everyone needs to be alone (like having time with God or ourselves away from the distractions of the world). But loneliness can occur when a person doesn’t feel whole when he’s alone. I actually love alone time…which doesn’t happen very often! But my heart goes out to the lonely; people who are filled with gray emptiness and sadness. Anyone can be affected by loneliness at times; isolation, depression and loneliness are among the most painful of human experiences.

Loneliness is…

• Affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.

• A feeling of isolation; solitary; without company; companionless.

Alone is…

• To be separate, apart, or isolated to the exclusion of all others or all else.

• To be unique, unequaled, superlative.

With Christ, you will never walk alone.

The world’s greatest
tragedy is unwantedness;
the worlds
greatest disease is
loneliness.
—MOTHER TERESA

Feelings of loneliness are very real and can result from feelings of not belonging or not being understood. It creates an emptiness inside that drains all energy and spirit. During these painful times, our faith is vital. God did not intend for people to be lonely; even if people turn on us, forsake us, or shut us out, we are never alone. God promised it Himself in Hebrews 13:5 when He said “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. God is always there, and no matter how abandoned, deserted, or empty we feel, or how difficult and painful the situation-we are not alone. When feelings of emptiness and isolation begin to creep in, it’s not the time to look inward, but instead reach out to God. Our faith turns loneliness into alone time with Him.

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” (Psalm 62:1)

I have always found that I become renewed and regenerated when I spend time alone; filled up with the love from the Spirit. During my quiet times, I feel anything but alone or lonely; the stillness is actually a restorer of energy. When God gets us absolutely alone, away and unconcerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares, that’s when He begins to refine and shape us. There is no substitute for time spent alone with God where you can tell Him anything and everything. His presence is all we need in order to maintain the proper balance our lives require. We never have to feel lonely, instead we should take advantage of our time alone and embrace it with a Godly purpose.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Linking up on Spiritual Sunday and Sharing His Beauty