A New Attitude

by Sara Boyer

This Week's Verse: Philippians 2:5, “Your Attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Each of us from time to time has struggles with our children. The Boyer family is no exception. When my daughter Beth was little, it would be the occasional temper tantrum. During the Jr. High years, it was the frequent eye-roll. In High School, it would be a snide remark or disrespectful back-talk. It didn’t happen a lot, but when it did, my response was always, “You need to get a new attitude, Young Lady!”

This comment resulted in one of two reactions. (1) She would humbly close her mouth and listen, or (2) She would turn and stomp off to her room and maybe accentuate her response with a door slam. Anyone who is a parent, guardian, aunt, teacher or mentor can identify with these scenarios. There are times when God’s greatest blessings can be challenging.

As I think back on those times, I wonder if we are that different from the children we know and love. If each of us were given the opportunity to hear God’s audible voice, how many times would He have said, “You need to get a new attitude, Young Lady!” I know I would have heard it thousands of times. I would have heard it when my words tore people down, rather than building them up. I would have heard it when I was selfish or glutinous. I would have heard it when I tried to hide from my responsibility or “tweak” the truth. I would have heard it when I gossiped. The list could go on and on.

Philippians 2:5 reminds us of the attitude we are to strive for—the attitude of Christ Jesus. There are times when having an attitude like Christ is easy. But he doesn’t call us to have His Attitude just when things are easy. He calls us to have His Attitude all of the time. It isn’t easy to love the unlovable, but Jesus would. It isn’t easy to stand up for the truth when the crowd is pulling you the other way, but Jesus would. It isn’t easy to stop the gossip when you’re in a group, but Jesus would.

I think God would say that we can be challenging, but we are so blessed to have Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He loves us just the way we are—even when we need to get a new attitude. He also loves us too much to leave us the way we are.

When the Holy Spirit whispers, “You need to get a new attitude, Young Lady!” What will your response be? Will you (1) Quietly humble yourself before Him and repent, or (2) Turn and stomp off continuing to do things your way?

Father God, help us to strive to have Your Attitude. Let us see the world around us through Your eyes and show Your love and compassion to everyone around us. May we have your attitude not only in word and deed, but also in our hearts. We love you Lord – Amen.

Application:
1) Pray for the Holy Spirit to prompt you when your attitude needs to be adjusted. 2) Try to find a Christian accountability partner whom you love and trust to help you. 3) The best way to know the Attitude of Christ Jesus is to study His Word. Take time to be in His Word every day.

Power Verses:
1 Peter 4:1, “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who suffered in his body is done with sin.” (NIV)
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” (NIV)
Matthew 22:37-39, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (NIV)