Good morning! Many times in life, our situations tend to determine our attitudes. When I used to play sports, I hated to lose – I really was a sore loser. There would be moments when I walked away from a game crying because I didn’t play well or the other team beat us. In school, I would cry if I failed a test, knowing that I could have done so much better. At work, there was a time a few years ago where people who had been my friends for years suddenly turned on me. They treated me unfairly because I applied for a new job and ended up leaving their team.
The situation escalated to where it seemed like I was purposely being targeted in anyway possible to make my life miserable. I remember having conversations where hurtful things were said to me and I didn’t understand. This situation weighed on me, especially because I hate it when there are unresolved issues between me and other people. It affected my attitude at work and even seeped into the way I acted at home.
On the other hand, when I won first place in sports I felt like I was on top of the world; when I aced a class in school, I felt like I was the smartest person in the world; and when I solved issues at work that no one else could, I felt like there was nothing I couldn’t do.
The people I played sports with would trust me with the ball; the people in school would want to study with me; and the people at work would always want partner up with me for projects – it made me feel incredible and kept my attitude positive.
This is what happens when your attitude is dependent on our situations – one minute we could be on top of the world and other times down in the lowest places.
This morning I want to encourage us to instead of letting our attitudes be determined by our situations, let our attitudes be determined by our God!
There are a couple guys in the Bible that show us how to do this. I’m talking about Paul and Silas. They were going from town to town as the Holy Spirit led them, preaching the gospel everywhere they went. When they reached the town of Philippi they experienced a situation that would have turned most peoples attitudes sour.
“The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods. And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
Acts 16:22-24
When is the last time we were stripped, beaten with rods, or imprisoned for following Jesus? I’m not saying that this doesn’t happen (because it definitely does more often than we even know), but here in America we are very blessed to be able to worship God freely. Yes, friends and family may not understand or approve, but overall we can worship God without repercussions.
Check out what these guys are doing in prison. When many people would be sulking, down and out – these guys are…
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
Acts 16:25
Praying and singing to God!! They did not allow their crumby situation to determine their attitude. They continued to trust in their relationship with God and sing songs of worship to Him! I love that it mentions the fact that the other prisoners were listening to them. The bonus part is what happens next.
“So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.”
Acts 16:34b
The jailer and his family came to believe in God! We have the opportunity to shine a light for others to receive Jesus by the way we act in every situation. Let’s do our best to focus on Jesus and allow our relationship with Him to determine the way we handle ourselves in every situation!
Heavenly Father, thank You for being with us in each situation and never leaving us to do life alone. Help us to look to you in the valley, the mountain top, and everywhere in between. Help us to look to You knowing that You have everything we need. In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 