Start Each Day With Prayer, With Guidance From God Above

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭25‬

“Her strength isn’t found in her circumstances, it is in her Christ-centered attitude.”

I love it when God comes at me from all sides with what I need most. It may be through a devotional, a Bible verse, a conversation with a friend, a song on the radio or an encounter with a co-worker that shows my true colors. God is ever faithful to mold us into Christ's likeness if we are willing to listen, learn, and let go of our pridefulness!

This week was all about attitude and prayer, how I need the latter to help with the former. God graciously gives us a choice about both. We can choose to have a good or bad attitude and we can choose to pray or not. Here is the God thing, when we go to God in prayer about our bad attitude (which is usually caused by pridefulness), when we pray to be more aware of our attitude, when we seek His instruction and correction about having a better attitude, then our attitude will begin to be what God intends it to be, Christ-centered. When we prayerfully seek God's help it doesn't matter what our circumstances are; our thoughts, our words, our actions, our attitude can always reflect Christ if we choose to do so.

The Proverbs 31 woman is one clothed in strength and dignity and can laugh at the days to come. Does that mean she never faces hard times or struggles? Does it mean that she doesn't get worn out or frustrated? Does it mean that she always has a smile on her face? No! It means her strength comes from the Lord and her attitude is bathed in prayer. Instead of giving into the negative thoughts, she draws strength from the Lord to face whatever is to come with an attitude that reflects Christ. She can face the difficulties that lie ahead with peace and joy in her heart because she knows she is not facing them alone. Her strength isn't found in her circumstances, it is in her Christ-centered attitude.

You may be thinking it is easy for someone else to have a positive attitude, they just have a gift of being cheerful no matter what or they never have any difficulties. You may be feeling justified in your negative attitude because others just don't understand how difficult things are for you. Others may not know or understand, but God does. If we believe He is the Almighty and source of all power and wisdom, then we need to trust that He will give us strength to endure whatever tomorrow brings and our attitudes need to reflect that belief. If we pray to God about our negative attitudes, He will help us change them.

What is your attitude? Are people excited to see you, do you bring a smile to their face? Are they ignoring you as you walk down the hall, rushing to go down a different aisle at the store? Be aware of your attitude today! Start each day with prayer, asking God to help you be the bright spot in everyone's day, having an attitude that reflects Christ!

JODI HENDRICKS IS A LONGTIME MEMBER OF FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. SHE TEACHES ADULT AND YOUTH BIBLE CLASSES. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.

Religion on 09/05/2018