What Is Your Response?

Trials and difficulties are an inevitable part of life. But, to some extent, we can decide just how difficult they will be for us. How? By adjusting one simple thing: our attitude.

Whether we realize it or not, we have more control over ourselves and our lives than we may think. Though we don’t always have control over our circumstances or other people, the way we respond to circumstances can largely determine their difficulty.

As teens and young people, we often hear our parents talk about our attitudes, particularly our bad ones. However, I’m not here to scold or reprimand anyone. I’m just here to tell you what I’ve discovered (by experience) about the wonderful life you can have in the Lord by a few simple adjustments.

What Do You Mean “Adjustments”?

Believer, you have a God-given joy and peace that is found in Him alone. Yet far too often we lose our joy and peace to things that don’t have to make us miserable or unhappy.

So, you got a lower grade on that test than you thought you’d get. You don’t have to spiral down the path of negativity that says you aren’t smart enough or good enough, and that you’ll never make it in life. Sure, you’re disappointed; but you can use that disappointment as fuel and motivation to work harder.

You don’t have to let those people that walked away make you doubt self-worth. You can choose to believe what God says you are.

You’ve encountered setback after setback, disappointment after disappointment. As exhausting as that is, you don’t have to let it make you miserable. You don’t have to give in to the lies from Satan that say nothing good will ever happen to you, you’ll never get anywhere in life, or that God has forsaken you.

Instead, you can choose to believe that God is still on the throne; He’s still in control; He never stopped loving you unconditionally; and that He works all things together for your good.

You’re given a task or job you really don’t want to do. Instead of pouting and complaining, put your head down and get to work so you can give God the glory by doing that task with a good attitude. (I say this to myself most of all!)

What Kind of Attitude Are You Obeying God With?

If you are doing God’s will, wonderful! But, let me ask you this: what kind of attitude are you doing His will with?

Are you obeying the Bible and going to church with a good attitude because you love God or begrudgingly because you feel obligated to do them?

Are you trusting God’s timing and waiting on Him, yet complaining everyday? Are you helping your friends, family, or church, and then repeatedly talking about your good works as if it makes you a better Christian than others?

The attitude with which we obey God is just as important as obeying Him.

A Witnessing Attitude

Our attitudes as Christians are incredibly important. In fact, it is one of our greatest witnesses for Christ.

Others notice when we go through struggles with a good attitude or choose to imitate Christ’s humility. Others notice when we choose to not have a spirit of entitlement, bitterness, or self-pity, but instead trust God. When we choose to walk in the joy and peace God gives us, even when things go south, others notice.

By doing things like this, we can give God glory by using our attitudes to point others to Him. We display the unspeakable joy, everlasting love, and incomprehensible peace that God desires to give us.

Friends, your response to challenges, your mindset, and your attitude can not only make your life tremendously easier, but also improve your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. And most importantly, it can glorify God. That is, if you choose to have the right response, mindset, and attitude, according to the Word of God.

Let’s choose to have the right response together.

-Olivia

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