Attitude Check

There are two things the Lord has been impressing on me in the past few months: to have a thankful spirit and to lean on his grace.

I have never been a morning person, and although two years as a wife and mom has trained me to rise early and get my day going, I still tend to be bear-like and so, so tired every morning. So each day, after the first hour of playtime and breakfast is over and the day has officially begun, usually about 9:00, I have to make a choice: am I going to define how this day goes, or is this day going to define my attitude?

Because it's my worst time of day, the enemy attacks me especially hard and all of those little things come back to bug me. Offenses from others. Worries about my self-image. Feelings of failure. Being overwhelmed by the day's work ahead.

Today as I was wrestling, my sister texted me the lines of this hymn:

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
 

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
 

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

- Annie J Flint 

I desperately need that reminder of God's grace every morning! I've been camping in 2 Corinthians 12 - thinking often about boasting in my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me. So that is my first line of defense against the enemy, namely, remembering that it is not me fighting in my own strength, but me resting in the victory already won for me by God.

Secondly, as I was starting to fume inwardly about an offense from someone toward me, God prodded me gently to thank him instead of complaining. So I did. Thankfulness actually IS depending on God's grace. In all the ways that we suffer, whether from others, or from less than desirable circumstances, or painful situations, we are to "entrust [our] souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." Our faithful God knows what he is doing in our lives, and asks for a grateful heart from us. 

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

As each day begins, will you ask yourself, "Am I leaning on God's grace today? And do I have a thankful heart?"