I came across a prayer I thought I would share with you.
Dear Lord,
So far today, I am doing all right. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self-indulgent. I have not whined, cursed or eaten any chocolate. However, I am going to get out of bed in a few minutes and I will need a lot more help after that. Amen.
That’s both hilarious and accurate. You know it’s true. Your list of struggles may be different in your prayer but we all have issues we would love to master; to gain victory. I believe a great strategy includes the right attitude.
According to Webster, “Attitude” is a feeling or way of thinking that affects your behavior. It is a mental position.
In other words, everyday your attitude will affect you and influences the people around you. Your attitude will be either an asset or liability. This is no small matter.
There is a secret to having a great attitude: it should be part of preparation, not something that is adjusted during moments of adversity.
Several years ago, I worked for a dear friend and mentor who was in the process of building a new business and money was very tight. Due to budget constraints, he drove an old car with many miles and it had problems. During a busy work day full of important appointments, the great beast broke down on the interstate. When I asked him about his challenging day, I was blown away by his response.
He said it is God’s money and time and if He wants to spend it this way, he was fine with it. I know this man well and this is his genuine attitude. His attitude during this circumstance was already in place long before that day. He was prepared knowing true contentment is generated internally, based on attitude. It’s not what happens to you that matters, it is what happens in you.
So, how do you prepare your attitude? It starts with placing a high value on people.
Author John Maxwell summarizes it this way, “You can’t dislike people and have a good attitude at the same time. Have you ever met anyone who always treated people badly but had a positive attitude?”.
It almost seems natural to get frustrated with people. I recently saw a t-shirt that said, “The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.” If fits the narrative that life would be easier if we did not have to deal with people.
Yet, the Holy Spirit tells us “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves…You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (Philippians 2:3-7)
God has placed the highest value on you. So much so that He sent Jesus to reveal the Father’s love for you by becoming a servant continually focused on the needs of others. Jesus was always about His Father’s business.
Just like my friend’s car, people are going to let us down. But my friend’s heart is always in his Heavenly Father’s business, not his own. Because he was prepared, he knew God would use even this circumstance to do something important. This attitude is only humanly possible when Jesus is living in us and through us.
I hope this Christmas season when you see a manger scene, you will see the baby Jesus with fresh eyes. Seeing Him as One with the attitude of a humble servant Who has come with you in mind.
That IS why He came.
He came because you are valued and loved by God. Just accept that love by asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
I can’t think of a better Christmas gift from us to God and to others than to have the same attitude as Jesus.
