|
|
Attitude Checkby Steve Cox,
|
|
|
I was talking with a parent recently who was frustrated by the frequently negative attitude of her teenager. This teen seemed to be looking at every situation in life from a negative viewpoint, and was complaining about even the smallest inconveniences as if they were major disasters. I shared with this parent that I can still recall a period of my teen years when I had a fairly similar negative attitude. As a matter of fact, as I gave the issue some further thought, it caused me to question if I still slip into a negative attitude much more than I should. When I was younger, there were two phrases in common use, which we don’t seem to use now. When we felt someone was being too negative, or in a bad mood, we would suggest that the person needed an “attitude check” or an “attitude adjustment”, meaning that the attitude being displayed is not appropriate to the facts, or is simply not appropriate behavior. Usually, when I begin slipping into a negative attitude, it is because circumstances are not working the way that I believe they should. If I give in to this attitude, I tend to get into a bad mood, having a negative attitude not just about a few circumstances, but viewing everything negatively. If I give in to this attitude, I am not only dissatisfied with the way life is going, I begin to get frustrated with others around me, because I believe they are the problem. More often than I would like to admit, my wife has asked me why I am impatient with our children. My first response is that I am being very patient, it is just that the kids are being exceedingly difficult. But when I step back and look at my behavior more objectively, the Holy Spirit does show me that I am not being negative because others are being so difficult. The problem is that my negative attitude causes me to view the problems and frustrations of life as larger than they really are. In Ephesians chapter 4 (verse 14), Paul challenges us to get beyond being spiritual infants, people who are “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind”. In other words, as people who seek to be like Christ, we probably need frequent attitude checks. Later in Ephesians 4 (verses 22-24), Paul encourages us: “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” But, how do we make sure to get regular attitude checks, such that we are “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2) and that our attitude becomes “the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5)? The context of these two passages indicates that a few things are necessary, so that we are prepared to receive a proper attitude check from the Lord. First, we have to be aware of our need, recognizing that we are naturally sinners, who often slip into destructive attitudes. We must then humbly place ourselves into submission to Christ, to his Word, and to other believers he has placed in our lives. Once we make these commitments, then the Holy Spirit can use the Scriptures, and other people, to reveal to us where our attitudes are becoming unhealthy. I am thankful the Lord has placed people in my life who are willing
to confront me when I need an attitude check. My prayer is that the
Lord is providing the same for you, “so that the body of Christ
may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure
of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:13)
|
