Heart Adjustment
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16, ESV)
When we enter into a relationship with God, we truly learn about ourselves.
Being in union with our creator forces us to be self-aware and allows us to evolve into our true identity each and every day. In this process, we sometimes face a lot of hard truths about who we are and how we can act. We see the ugly that lies within us.
Now, don’t feel bad because we all have it. My heart and intentions can be just as ugly compared to the people I encounter every day. We were born into this sinful world, a people meant for eternity in heaven with the Lord. We have been exposed to the sin-virus that Jesus, with His own death and resurrection, saved us from but that does not change the fact that we are human.
There is one specific thing that influences everything in our lives from our character to our daily interactions, and that is our attitude. Did your mom ever tell you when you were a kid, “You need to check your attitude,” or “You need an attitude adjustment!” I’m sure you got it all the time. Well, I am 19 years old, and a lot of the time I still need to check my attitude.
And guess what? So do you.
A bad attitude is something we all experience in some way, whether it may be temporary, lasting days or even weeks. When your attitude is constantly compromised by your circumstances and daily setbacks, the quality of your life and mentality are forced to suffer the consequences.
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV)
Jesus does not want us to just “get through this life.” He wants us to experience all He has for us in it, including personal growth and perseverance. We all say that we want to be the best versions of ourselves but each day we make the personal decision to let things set us back and be negative, we are affecting ourselves and the people around us.
The reason this is a battle most of us fight and fail at daily is that we think that we can improve our mentality on our own, failing to recognize that Jesus is our Savior in every sense! Jesus did not only come to save us from sin and give the gift of salvation but also so that we can live an abundant life in relationship with Him! He is our guide, our safe place, our wisdom unimaginable. Jesus is everything we could ever need.
If you desire to improve your attitude, the first thing that you need to do is start to spend quality with Jesus that moves you to want to be more and more like Him. Jesus is perfect in every way that we are not. It is hard to see what you need to change in your life when you are not in communication with the One that created you. When we are closer with the Lord, we start to resemble who He is more and more, and begin to feel more inspired. You will begin to see that you have a God who loves you and equips you in every way. His unfailing character will change how you see yourself, other people, and your own attitude.
Many times, a bad attitude can also be the result of not using the tools God has given you. For example, the brothers and sisters in Christ that He has blessed you with to confide in and grow with. When we bottle up how we are feeling and do not talk to anyone or spend time dealing with our emotions correctly, we can become closed off and unreceptive. Opening up to your friends and family will make you feel so much better, and also grow those vital relationships in your life.
Lastly, do your best to constantly be aware of what you are thinking and how you are speaking. Sometimes we are so upset or so negative that we speak in an unfiltered way and say things that can be super hurtful and damaging. The best thing that you can do is try to be mentally aware of your thoughts, and the only way you can do that is by first admitting you have a bad attitude. I know that can be the hardest thing ever, but change only happens when we turn down our pride and get real with ourselves. Start by being aware of your thoughts, and choosing not to say them if you know they are hurtful, damaging, or negative.
It can be hard to have a positive outlook on life because we focus so heavily on the things that may or may not be going our way. But when we fix our eyes on the blessings we have that we so easily overlook, everything changes. When we focus on our salvation, the grace that we have been shown, and the endless love that has been poured over us along with so much more, it’s impossible to have a negative attitude.
Negativity is a poison that spreads fast, and one that leaves many bitter and unfulfilled, but I encourage you, reader, to place your focus on the Perfect One that leaves the broken man forever fulfilled and yearning for more of Him!
The momentary only lasts so long, but Jesus– God– He is forever! He will help you build the kind of character that stands through each aching circumstance. Find your satisfaction in Him, today and always, and let Him inspire your attitude.
