Life is full of reasons to complain. From sun up to sun down, we constantly face how easy it is to complain and how difficult it is to maintain the right attitude. Your body hurts, the weather is uncomfortable, the news is depressing, your job is unsatisfying, your bank account is low, and the list goes on and on. Often, we’re unaware of how much we complain because it is a socially acceptable sin. In the name of being “honest,” we may let it all out, revealing more than dissatisfaction with our circumstances but the spiritual condition of our hearts.
The Bible says that out of our hearts, our mouths speak. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). This proverb pictures our speech as something that brings forth life or death. What comes out of our mouths reveals where we’re drawing our life’s water, so to speak. Are we drawing from Living Water or is our well contaminated?
We may think complaining or being negative is not a big deal, but it says more about us than we realize. What does your attitude reveal about what’s happening inside your heart? Consider what God’s Word says about what we think about and how we should respond in our attitudes and actions. The right attitude isn’t merely saying the “right” things but believing the right things and responding appropriately.
20 Verses About Having the Right Attitude
- 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 4:1
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, - Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. - Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! - Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. - Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. - Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Matthew 22:37
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. - Mark 12:30
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ - Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. - Romans 12:2-3
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. - 1 Corinthians 2:11
For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:16
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
- Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. - Philippians 2:5
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, - Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. - 2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing
What a right attitude is not…
Having the right attitude doesn’t mean you’re never discouraged by life’s trials. It doesn’t mean you don’t share your feelings with loved ones when you need prayer and help. You don’t have to put on a happy face and pretend all is well when it isn’t. The right attitude is not about “remaining positive,” as if you can manipulate God or your circumstances by your actions. Rather, having the right attitude results from having the right heart.
Paul said, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). When Jesus had every right to hold onto his privileges as the eternal God, he emptied himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. He set the example of choosing a mindset, an attitude, of obedience, and we can choose this way, too.
Even when ample reasons exist to complain or be negative, we can choose where our hearts find refreshment. Do we drop our buckets into the well of Living Water, drawing up fresh water that nourishes, or do we seek refreshment from a contaminated source? Having the right attitude in response to life’s trials requires vigilance, as our default setting is to complain. We need Jesus’ help to have the right attitude, and we’ll find that help in his Word.
Cara
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