Links

Join

Forums

Find Help

Recovery Readings

Spiritual Meditations

Chat

Contact


Go Back   Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums > Daily Recovery Readings, Spiritual Meditations and Prayers > Daily Spiritual Meditations

Share This Forum!  
 
        

Daily Spiritual Meditations Post spiritual meditations here to read and feel free to share.

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 11-10-2017, 07:49 AM   #1
bluidkiti
Administrator
 
bluidkiti's Avatar
 

Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 70,032
Default How God Changed My Attitude Without My Help

How God Changed My Attitude Without My Help by Glynnis Whitwer

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; …” Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV)

I walked out to my front yard that Saturday morning, feeling the cool breeze whisper around me. After a hot summer, I should have enjoyed the moment. But I didn’t. It only reminded me I was here, facing a yard filled with weeds, rather than doing something fun.

Out-of-town trips and a major project had kept me from yard work for the previous month. It was impossible to delay any longer, so I grabbed my bucket, sat down and started pulling.

With each yank, I thought of where I’d rather be. Like hiking with the dogs. Going to a farmer’s market with my husband. Or preparing for a picnic with friends or family. Why did the weather have to be so perfect while I had to work?!

I started getting annoyed, taking it out on the overgrown grass that had snaked its way into a flower bed. Within minutes I had worked myself into quite a snit, feeling resentful about all the yard work I had to do. Especially as I thought about “everyone” else out there having a great day.

Then my daughter walked outside. She’d had her wisdom teeth pulled the day before, so I hadn’t asked for her help. Without saying a word, she sat down next to me and started pulling weeds too.

I forced a smiled and asked if she felt okay to be outside, thanking her for coming to help. We sat in silence for a minute, with my attitude still yucky, until she turned on some music. But not just any music — she turned on worship music.

I don’t know if she sensed my mood, or if God told her I needed more than just the physical help of pulling weeds. But as the familiar lyrics washed over me, I immediately felt my mood lighten. As the chorus began, I joined in. By the end of the second song, my perspective had shifted 180 degrees.

We worked side-by-side for the next few hours, chatting, singing together and enjoying the beautiful weather, which I had resented earlier. My heart slowly grew thankful for a helpful daughter, a home to care for and the strength to do the work.

What a perspective change! And I wasn’t even trying to get my attitude under control. Then I realized: When God’s truth enters my thoughts, it changes everything. God reawakened my joy and redirected my attitude by renewing my mind.

Managing and submitting my thoughts to God is a daily battle. So often my mind threatens to take me places I shouldn’t go. Whether it’s resentment, frustration, anxiety or anger, my mind has the potential to lead me away from where I should go, which is toward thankfulness, love, grace and kindness.

When I easily simmer and stew, allowing my mind to dwell on a problem or offense, it creates a one-sided, myopic view of the situation. Yet, when God changes my perspective, I realize there’s so much more to the picture. It’s like I can back up and see the panoramic view. God brings fresh air and light into my tunnel vision.

I love how Paul put it in Ephesians 4:22-23: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self … to be made new in the attitude of your minds …”

My thoughts and attitude definitely need to be made new when they get stuck in a negative pattern. That is my “old self” that needs to be put off. The new self that needs to be put on is Jesus. Romans 13:14a says, “Instead,

clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ …” (NLT).

Thankfully, this battle isn’t mine to fight alone. That’s good news, because sometimes I feel helpless to shift my attitude. How amazing that our God planted power in His Word and the praises of His people to break the chains we could never shake off ourselves.

So, today, when you feel a negative attitude threaten, turn on some worship music and let God do what He does best — change you from the inside out.

Lord, help me rein in my thoughts today and have a renewed perspective. My thoughts feel locked in negativity. Help redirect and renew my mind as I put You first. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY: Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (NIV)

REFLECT AND RESPOND: Is there an ongoing situation where you could benefit from a perspective change?

Try listening to worship music, and allow God to change your perspective.
__________________
"No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy
AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K.
When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt
We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time!
God says that each of us is worth loving.
bluidkiti is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to bluidkiti For Sharing:
Sponsored Links
Post New ThreadReply  

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
God has not changed bluidkiti Daily Spiritual Meditations 0 10-06-2017 06:13 AM
Choose to Be Changed bluidkiti Daily Spiritual Meditations 0 12-03-2016 06:35 AM
How God Changed My Attitude Without My Help bluidkiti Daily Spiritual Meditations 0 11-10-2016 08:07 AM
Choose to Be Changed bluidkiti Daily Spiritual Meditations 0 12-03-2015 04:45 AM
Choose To Be Changed bluidkiti Daily Spiritual Meditations 0 12-03-2013 09:40 AM


Click here to make a Donation

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.