Attitude Check
Attitude Check
Those who promote peace have joy. (Prov. 12:20)
Last year when we visited my in-laws for Christmas, my mother-in-law was critical of everything I did. She didn’t like the Christmas gifts I chose for her. I didn’t prepare the gravy in the correct way. And when our three-year-old daughter had a tiny accident on the carpet, I thought we were going to have to rip it up and rush out to the home center store to replace it.
Since then I’ve nursed a grudge against my mother-in-law. I feel that I can’t do anything right in her eyes. But is my “baditude” right? I know what God would say: He would gently, mercifully say no.
I began spending time on my knees with God about the real heart of the issue. He impressed upon me that my bad attitude—my resentment—toward my mother-in-law could be turned around with His help. He reminded me that we have much in common: the love we share for my husband and for our children. And maybe we are both being sensitive when what we really want is to be friends.
So this Christmas I will be visiting with my in-laws. I’m prayed up, and with God’s help I will be kind and loving. I will leave the attitude behind and seek friendship with her in the name of Jesus.
Paul says in Philippians 2:5 to “make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.” But how can we do that when we have an attitude of resentment, bitterness, or just plain grumpiness? We do it by remembering how much Jesus loves us, what He’s done for us, and how far He’s brought us. And when we ask Him each day to fill our hearts with His love, we can leave the attitude behind.