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.
get you to respond wrong in front of others. And usually, your attitude
is going to determine your next action step. That’s why you need to
determine wisely, before you say something or make a move.
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.”
some way to adjust your attitude quickly. You can do this! Try it.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved.
[written by Courtnaye Richard]
