In times of stress do I COP an attitude or COPE honestly and scripturally with reality?
I've been thinking a lot about attitude recently. It's probably God pressing in on me about my own attitudinal struggles at times. The Bible is chucked full of directives for attitude -- perhaps because attitudes are dictated by the very seat of our affections (our hearts). Translated, that means our very core affections drive our attitudes and our attitudes drive us. They will either enhance what I do for God or diminish the effectiveness I could have for Him. Actually, left unchecked, attitudes can literally destroy us.
When I feel God pressing in on me about something, I have to go to the Word and discover (or rediscover) His take on the issue. Here are just a few examples of what I find in the New Testament about the importance of paying attention to, and being blatantly honest about, my own attitudes and where my affections direct my mind:
Romans 15:5 -- May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had...
So what' do I know about His mind on the matter?
- Treat others as being more important than self.
- Gave His ALL for His bride, the church.
- Humbled Himself as a servant -- even to death on a cross.
- Bring healing instead of division.
Hebrews 4:12 -- For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
So HIS Word, not the words of others, is the only trustworthy place to be.
1 Peter 4:1-2 -- Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
That's right, even when I think i've been emotionally hurt or mistreated, the only pain-killer I need to reach for is a steady dose of His Word. For there I am reminded of His suffering and what His attitude looked like through it all.
Ephesians 4:22-24 -- You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Father in Heaven, keep me reaching for the same attitude as that of Your Son, Jesus Christ in every situation of life. Please give me the strength to keep from reverting back to those former affections and former destructive attitudes. Help me to be a force of unity and not divisiveness in the Body of Christ. I am determined to keep growing in You. Keep me on that climb, I pray. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
