Having Attitude

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)

Laura rubbed the back of her neck. “Your approximate wait time is ten minutes,” the automated voice informed her through the phone. She had already been on hold for fifteen minutes, trying to sort out an error on her bank statement. While cradling the phone between her chin and shoulder, she carefully picked up a dish of raw chicken and marinade. With one finger, she pulled open the refrigerator door.

“Squeak!”

Her daughter’s toy underfoot, Laura jumped at the unexpected noise. Disaster! The phone slipped into the marinating chicken dish and splattered everywhere—floor, door, her legs, and feet.

Something is always going wrong for me. I wouldn’t even be on the phone if the bank hadn’t messed up, and now this! Laura grumbled to herself as she wiped up the mess, but before her attitude got any worse, she stopped and took a deep breath. Her memory verse for the week, 2 Corinthians 10:5, stuck haphazardly on the fridge, reminded her to take every thought captive. Laura took a moment to recite it out loud and then asked God for the grace to obey.

Whether you’re dealing with minor annoyances or major difficulties, having a godly attitude isn’t always easy. However, as you learn to abide in Christ, your responses will reflect the fruit of the Spirit more frequently. Since your attitudes are shaped by the thoughts you entertain, you can foster bad attitudes by indulging in negative thoughts. The only way you can have the attitude God desires is by stopping thoughts that aren’t pleasing to Him as soon as you recognize them. Then ask God to replace them with truth from His Word. If you practice taking every thought captive, you will soon see the fruit in your attitude.