Have you ever had one of those days where frustration threatened to overtake you? It was during that time that I learned God’s cure for a bad attitude. One simple mindset shift is all it takes.

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I sat there on the verge of tears.

Situations occurred that were out of my control, things I was depending on and was now powerless to do anything about. People proved unreliable and undependable. Tasks that should have been simple were proving to be difficult at every turn.

I was emotionally spent.
Physically weary.
Every ounce of me wanted to give up.
I wanted to complain.
I wanted wrongs to be made right.

The enemy had me exactly where he wanted me: discouraged and negative. I definitely wasn’t in a position to effect positive change in my situation with that kind of mind-set.

Not sure I could take any more, I followed Jesus’s example and went away for a few quiet moments by myself. There, God got hold of my heart.

Gratitude and thankfulness: the cure for a bad attitude

“I know this is not what you want, but despite what is going on, what can you thank me for?” was His challenge.

If I’m being completely transparent here, my first thought wasn’t exactly a positive one. I wasn’t in a mood to be thankful. I was frustrated and angry. Yet in my spirit, I knew He was right.

Practicing gratitude cured my bad attitude

I stepped outside and felt the warmth of the sun on my face, and was immediately cheered by the bright blue sky. “I love sunny blue-sky days, Lord. Thank you for such a beautiful day after so many rainy days recently.”

Then my thoughts drifted to my home. “I love my home and the memories we’ve made there. And I love my family. Thank you for my home and family, Lord. They bring joy and comfort to my life!”

Names and faces of friends and fond memories with them crowded my mind, and I thanked God for surrounding us with such good friends who make my life richer because of them.

It almost seemed silly, but as a bird chirped and caught my attention, I glanced in the direction of my car and thanked God for a reliable car that I have fun driving on sunny days.

I just kept listing things I was thankful for over the next several minutes. And in that short span of time, something wonderful happened: while nothing about my circumstances changed, my attitude had.

Gratitude cured my negative attitude, and I felt happier and more at peace. The enemy no longer had a hold on me. True to God’s word, greater is He who is in me than the one who was in the world trying to negatively influence my day. But practicing gratitude changed my attitude and refocused my attention on God and on what really mattered.

I’d love to hear about a time when you found gratitude to be helpful in changing your attitude or that of someone you love in the comments below! We could all use the encouragement from time to time.

#GoodDay #GratitudeForTheWin #TakeThatEnemy

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

 

 

Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.

Today is Going to be a Good Day

Now Available!

My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right is now available!

This uplifting devotional helps you make each day a good day no matter what is going on in your life.

When life conspires to drag us down with all of its troubles, it can be hard to keep our spirits up. In times of severe illness and depression, I learned that when I stand on God’s promises, despite my circumstances, every day can be a good day.

Each reading includes Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a recommended playlist song designed to help you live out Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

 

Today is Going to be a Good Day book is available now!

 

For more information on the book visit:

Find Out More!

 

The frustration of facing an out of control situation and unreliable, undependable people caused me to spend some quiet moments away by myself. God gave me a directive that I wasn’t thrilled with initially. But, as I walked in obedience, I learned God’s cure for a bad attitude. One simple mindset shift is all it took to break the hold the enemy had on me and shift my focus to the Lord.

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