Three Winning Attitudes

February 13, 2020

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

You run into Sally at Dollar General and you are struck with how content she looks and the happiness she exudes. So, you mention it to her. You say, “Wow! You are in a happy place today!”

She responds, “Oh, I am!” and you immediately ask her what’s going on, what has happened, what’s the reason for her joy. She looks at you a bit blankly, and replies, “What has happened? What do you mean? Nothing new has happened. I’m just happy. It’s a great day to be alive. God is good! My heart is full!”

Now that’s the way the apostle Paul thought. When my heart is made new through my relationship with Christ, my attitude is a preemptive, proactive choice. It is not dependent on some new source of joy to get my day going. It’s not based on a daily evaluation to see if God has been good enough recently to praise and magnify Him and encourage others. I wake up believing I am blessed, and those are the words that spill from my lips and the actions that characterize my life.

Paul says God’s will for us through our newness is Christ Jesus is to wake up and go to bed each day, rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. That’s the day the hot water tank goes out, the day the children are livid over things you can’t change, the day you get the bad news—plus all the other days when life seems good. Rejoicing at all times, taking our prayers to God automatically and instantly, and giving God our sacrificial praise, no matter what, is the way to live. It pours true strength through our veins, brings God’s resources in close, and witnesses to the world.

So how ARE you today? I’m good! I’m rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks! It’s going to be a great day because God is good.

• These are the three most important tasks to start your day; more important than brushing your teeth or getting that coffee. Make yourself a little sign if you need to, and put it by your bed. Remind yourself to start this way, and then choose it the rest of the day. Watch life take an upward turn.