As I was reading through various devotionals/books and scriptures today, I kept getting pointed to looking at my ”attitude” in each of them. The line that really stuck out to me was from the Power Thoughts Devotional, by Joyce Meyer. It started off by saying “Negative thoughts and words are our enemies because they hinder us from being the people we want to be.”
It made me think more about me, and how I feel that I am a pretty positive person. But then, am I? In a closer reflection of myself over my life, although I am perceived as a positive person, I can look back now and see how some of my behavior may not have been as positive as I would have thought it was. In the past few years of really looking at myself, my actions, living with integrity and intentionality, I can see how I haven’t been the greatest at keeping my attitude in check…but, mostly by masking it. Let me explain.
For many years, during meetings, with my family or at social events, people would tell me how funny I was in the jokes or comments I would make. Funny to some, not to others. These would often be backhanded comments, or ”zingers” as we would call them in the office. (A zinger is defined as “a striking or amusing or caustic remark,” which is normally targeted towards another person for a quick laugh or to make a point, but hurtful to the targeted person.)
I realize now, in looking back, these ”zingers” that would garner many laughs weren’t really appropriate. My attitude wasn’t positive in nature, and therefore, hindered me from being the person I want to be. I want to be seen as kind, compassionate, and generous. Most importantly, when I lay my head down at night, I want to feel good about how I have behaved, not regretting the comment that got a lot of laughs, but hurt another person.
I have also found that many times people will use comments like these as a way of being funny, but ultimately they are masking their true feelings by trying to be funny, instead of just having the conversation with someone to tell them how they really feel. I have worked really hard on not doing this, as it doesn’t come from a place of living with integrity and candor. But, it is much easier than facing the person and expressing your feelings.
So, back to attitude. How is your attitude? Do you view yourself as a positive person, but in actuality are judging others, making jokes or comments about them…and even gossiping about others? If you look in the mirror and discover that you may be similar to me, now is the time to start making amends and changing your attitude! If we truly want to live, act, walk and talk like kind and compassionate people, maybe try keeping the ”zingers” to yourself and find a healthier way to communicate. Ultimately, you will have more peace and serenity to boot!
It’s time for my attitude “to be made new.” As said in Ephesians 4:22-24: “…[I need] to be made new in the attitude of my mind and to put on the new self…” (Read more on this in the book Jesus Listens, January 14th Devotional, by Sarah Young)
If you would like a copy of any of the devotionals or books I reference, please send me an email (button below) and I would be happy to send you one. Please reference the title of the post/devotional to ensure I send you the correct devotional/author. See my mission in the "About Kelly" link.
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