Choose Your Attitude

For the month of August we began a series at CBC entitled, “Wisdom, Mixed with Grace and Seasoned with Salt.” It is a study through Paul’s letter to the believers in the city of Colosse. After reading through the letter a few times, in preparation for the series, I was struck by verses 5 through 6 of chapter 4.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (NKJV)

I believe these verses speak volumes concerning God’s expectations for our Christian conduct and character. They touch on the issue of how we are to carry ourselves before believers and non-believers alike. In my opinion, they also imply that we need to watch our attitude. You’ll have to follow the sermons on-line to see how all this is fleshed out.

The other thing that strikes me about the letter is I get the distinct impression that Paul is a great encourager. He must be because, as he writes, he is sitting in chains, a prisoner for preaching the gospel. In spite of this, he has chosen to have an attitude of prayer and thankfulness.

There is a book entitled, “Fish” (by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul & John Christensen). It is a book about how to boost morale and improve results in the workplace. In it they write:

“By accepting that you choose your attitude you demonstrate a level of personal accountability and proactivity… (the result can be) energizing.”

Paul chose to have an attitude of thankfulness. What a good reminder to us that we also need to recognize the fact that we can choose our attitude. And, frankly, many of us need to take advantage of it. Many of us have bad attitudes about everything from our feelings towards our jobs to our feelings towards one another. We may not like to hear this but, as a Christ-followers, we are called to check our attitude in every situation.

Furthermore, we are called to exercise wisdom and to make good use of our time (which probably means, among other things, we should do a lot less complaining and a lot more praying). As believers we are called to walk a certain way; to talk a certain way and to be prepared to respond to those who ask, “What is it about you that makes your attitude concerning life so unusual?” We need to be ready to tell them that the answer is, “It’s because of our walk with Christ, the giver of life.”

All of this requires having the right attitude. We cannot control every situation or outcome in our lives. Nevertheless, in the midst of whatever challenges we might be facing; in the middle of undesired conclusions; in the center of uncertainty, we are called to have an attitude of prayer and thankfulness. And that’s exactly what Paul encourages believers to do in his letter.

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Just some thoughts from the thankful heart and prayerful mind of Victor.