“Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
John 14:1 (NKJV)
An old quote popped into my head early this week and led me to ponder how important our attitudes are when faced with problems and challenges. I had a roommate decades ago who used to recite, “Oh woe is me, what shall I do? I cannot spin a thread into gold…..”
The source is unknown, but I think she learned it from some old comedy routine based loosely on “Once Upon a Time” by the Brothers Grimm. The beautiful daughter in that old fairy tale was supposed to spin straw into gold and had no idea how to do it until a mannequin named Rumpelstiltskin arrived to take over the task.
Of course it’s a fairy tale, and it’s not likely we will ever be asked to do the impossible. We may enjoy watching a live magic show, but we know the tricks are based on illusions and are performed simply for entertainment.
In our daily lives do we “hope” a solution will magically appear? Or, do we say a prayer of thanks for our many blessings before we ask God for help with a problem. It’s all about attitude — never forgetting the many good things in our lives nor that God’s love and guidance are always with us. Is our problem due to a poor decision? Or, is it something over which we have no control? If it can be resolved with a change in behavior and God’s help, do we get on with it? Or, is it easier to expect God to fix it for us without any effort on our part? The “attitude” should be to ask for His help, listen and follow His guidance.
A “positive” approach will help put the problem into a better perspective. Think of some of the things that weigh on our minds, often too frequently. Do we look for ways to rid ourselves of the worry?
For example, I was troubled to learn my health insurance premium increased significantly this year. After a little hand wringing (what a useless waste of energy!), I knew I’d manage for six or seven months until I’m eligible for Medicare. I’m certain a supplemental policy will be far less costly. Meanwhile, I will find other ways to make this work. I will not let this take up any more time! I am thankful to have health coverage and even more blessed to not need medical care.
When it’s cloudy and windy, my mood sometimes is not good. I’ve never handled windy and dreary well. But, where I live we have over 300 sunny days a year. When the temperatures hit triple digits, I’m thankful for a cloudy day. It’s not windy all the time, and often when it is, it’s because we’ve had some haze and smog accumulating in this valley. So, God gives us a day or two of high winds, and like “magic” the air is clean and fresh. There are no more reasons to be moody and certainly no more complaining! It’s about my attitude! Trusting in God and learning to patiently await His help will almost immediately improve the situation.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content
in whatever circumstances I am.”
Philippians 4:11 (NASB)
That verse at the top of this site pretty much covers it, don’t you think? I read it often, just to be reminded that troubles are usually temporary, often not as bad as I first thought, that I will have a better attitude within hours and I am blessed beyond measure. I have friends and family who love me and a Heavenly Father who is watching over me. What’s not to like? Today I’m going to work on my attitude about house cleaning! 
And, I will focus on how blessed I am to have a home!
Blessings to all,
Linda
Would you like to comment?
With heartfelt gratitude we introduce Phil Thomson, a Christian photographer residing in Australia. He captured the magnificent photo, "Last Light" used in our header; and we feel it depicts "contentment." You can learn more about him at 
3 Comments
Linda, I think our hope for a better, positive attitude is always found in trusting God through prayer. Not reacting quickly is something I need to work on and giving it to Him is key. The more we do it, the more likely we will develop a pattern of embracing the positive and letting go of the negative. I’m still a work in progress. Thank you for encouraging us with your post.
Linda, I read your article thinking: “but I’m the one out of our little group that is most likely to have a really bad attitude and all of you still love me anyway!” Thank you for this encouraging post. When I saw my Dad’s bill at the VA center went up for the year and then gas prices took a jump. I almost went into a panic attack with my imagination of me not being able to keep up the payments…then I had to stop myself and pray! Sometimes thinking on the wrong thing feeds those wrong attitudes. Instead of letting myself go wild with those imaginations the verse this sight was founded on is one I think on. I also think on Matt.6:33, and 2 Cor. 4:17 and my heart becomes filled with peace.
You all have said so well. All I can say is “YUP”.
Thank you.
Leave a Reply