How we approach life makes a huge difference as to how we experience it, either with joy and anticipation or with dread and despair. When something bad happens and our world seems to fall apart, we have a choice to make. We can either complain and feel sorry for ourselves, or we can choose to trust Jesus and have a positive attitude, because attitude is a choice. We can’t control the challenges of life, but we can control how we deal with them. Our attitudes are a reflection of what is happening in our hearts. If we respond to challenges with negativity, chances are there is something wrong with our relationship with God.
Since the beginning of time, Christians have had plenty of reasons to wallow in self-pity and have bad attitudes. Even in Bible times, God’s people endured persecution, unrelenting trials, and tribulation. And at times, they did succumb to discouragement and grumbling. Let’s be fair, they did have ample reasons to be frustrated and discouraged. But with God’s strength, everyone can rejoice through difficulties and hardship. When Christians were being persecuted by Saul, God had James remind them of what to do when faced with suffering. James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” And in 1 Peter 4:16, we’re told, “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in his name.” Instead of complaining about suffering, we need to thank God for the trials that will bring us closer to Him.
There is a special reward for those suffering for His name's sake. It may be difficult to suffer through challenges with pure joy, but it is possible by praying for God’s strength and courage. In doing so, we not only become stronger Christians, but it opens our hearts for an attitude transformation. We can claim God’s promise in 1 Peter 5:10: “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Text:
Psalm 73:25-26 NLT
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com