Get ready, because my hope and prayer is that by the end of reading this, you will know exactly what to do when you need a quick attitude adjustment. Note the Scriptures that you’re going to need to chew on, memorize, and apply when you need them the most.
Before we get started though, I need to say that the attitude has a lot to do with your mood and mindset. It also has to do with what the other party is saying or doing, or what you’re allowing to marinate in your mind in regards to a test, trial, opinion, or decision that needs to be made.
So, whether you’re in a meeting, talking to someone face-to-face, standing in a check-out line, reading something that you don’t like on Facebook or an email, or engaging in an escalating discussion with your spouse, child, friend, co-worker, boss/leader, sister in Christ, or neighbor, you are going to need to know how to adjust your attitude quickly, prior to you saying or doing something that you may soon regret. Plus, you don’t want to displease God by your negative words or reactions.
With that being said, let’s talk about this from the angle of disagreements. When you are not in agreement with something someone has said, give it a moment. Don’t react right away. Think before you speak, type, or react. In the Bible, James 1:19-20 instructs us to, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. For your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.” (NLT) After you’ve thought it all over, respond properly.
Actually, I need to say here that anger can oftentimes work hand-hand with a bad attitude (i.e. bad mindset, body language, or disposition/countenance/facial expression). If this anger or bad attitude is unchecked, it can in return, open the door for unnecessary mistakes and for the enemy to wreak havoc in your life. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us, “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
Key word, control. Don’t let it control you. I encourage you to get a hold of it quickly, sis. And shut the door. In other words, don’t give our great enemy Satan a foothold on you. And don’t let the anger fester.
Now, I want to add here… If you feel yourself rising or getting an attitude, pray silently and ask the Lord to help you to bring it down. After that, respond in a way that pleases the Lord, according to His Word. You can also pray Psalm 141:3, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” (NLT) I absolutely LOVE this one! But also keep in mind that sometimes you don’t have to say anything. Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us that there is “…a time be quiet and a time to speak.” So, be sensitive to know the difference.
Personally, because I know the attitude is attached to my mindset, when I feel myself going there, I consciously check my thoughts and emotions. I ask myself, “Why am I so upset or why does this bother me so much?” Or I’ll pray (as I’ve instructed you) and say, “Which fruit of the Spirit do I need right now, Lord?” And the Holy Spirit will produce in me what I need.
He may quicken me with a gentle whisper saying, “Self-control. Practice self-control.” Galatians 5:19-23 tells us, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (NLT) So, let Him produce His fruit in you at just the right time.
Also, let me tell you. There are times when we do need to say something or let someone know that we are upset. That is a reality! BUT…that’s also just the starting place. It needs to end somewhere. And it needs to end, right. It also needs to be at the right time – when you’ve cooled down.
Listen. Jesus knows that we will get angry sometimes or have wrong attitudes towards circumstances and people. Yet, when we do, we need to be able to control ourselves and try to put things in the right perspectivequickly. Honestly, anger and getting an attitude are a part of life for us. Yet, when either of them rises up, (which is when our old sinful nature is trying to raise its ugly head again), that’s when we have to do what the Bible tells us to do which is, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT)
Ephesians 4:29 goes on to say, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” And Ephesians 4:31 instructs, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.”
This is God’s Word showing us what to do and what NOT to do in a Scriptural nutshell, sis. We need to throw it off, get rid of it, and then think and respond in a way that will please the Lord. I’ll close with this last verse from Ephesians 4:32 which says, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us.”
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved.
[written by Courtnaye Richard]
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