Every year at this time I normally write about being thankful, but this year I thought I would do something different. Let’s think about attitude. With the holidays coming up we will have many opportunities to display a bad attitude – waiting in line, not getting good service, stores out of the item we want to purchase, extra busyness, etc….God knows all about it and has a way for us to enjoy the festivities in spite of the frustrations. It is by making a decision to have the attitude of Christ.


As Christians, we are new creatures in Christ. We died and our life is hidden in Christ with God. So what do we do when the bad attitude presents itself? There are a number of scriptures that can be meditated on to help.


Let’s begin with Philippians 2:5 – “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.” (NLT) You might be thinking “that is a tall order”, but as we have a greater awareness that it is no longer I who lives, but Christ living in me, it makes it possible. Philippians 2 goes on to tell us that Jesus did not insist on his own way, he was humble and a servant. The verses previous to verse 5 also give us a glimpse of what this attitude is like. Paul instructs us to love one another, work together, don’t be selfish, don’t live to make good impressions, be humble, be interested in others, think of others as better than yourself. Remember, doing this begins with knowing who God made us to be in Christ Jesus.


What if a number of opportunities presented themselves to have a bad attitude? Traffic was bad, somebody took the last item, do not have enough money for something, the store clerk had a bad attitude…..In order for it not to get on us, we have to talk to ourselves. Say,  “I am dead and my life is hidden in Christ”; then tell yourself, “I have the attitude of Christ – I love others, I am a servant, I am not selfish, kind words turn away wrath”…..The more you talk to yourself about the answer, the more you will see the answer displayed in your life.


The reason this is true is because as we think about what God’s Word says it gives us a picture of success. Joshua 1:8 - as we meditate we see ourselves doing what is in it. In order to do anything in life, we first get a picture of doing it and then we act. Before going to work, we get a picture of getting in the car and the route we will take. Most of the time the pictures come quickly (especially when it is familiar), but there is a picture associated with the action. We have to think it before we do anything.


Concerning having a good attitude, we must think it before it will happen. Training must take place in our mind to get rid of the natural bad attitude thought. It is natural for our flesh to want to have a bad attitude, but it is unnatural when we realize “it is no longer I who lives, but Christ living in me”, Gal. 2:21.


I hope you are receiving our weekly confessions. This month you will be encouraged to have the attitude of Christ through them. As they are meditated on, it will help in making the holidays happy.


Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!! There is so much to be thankful for. God is so good!!!!