You can Fix Your Attitude

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Your mind is the most vulnerable place the enemy will attack. Our thoughts shape our emotions, our actions, and our expectations. You are not anointed to think right. It is a decision we all must make to walk in supernatural success every day. Too often, Christians believe and think about whatever comes across their screens, their phones, or whatever comes to their ears from someone else’s opinion. Paul gave us a checklist to assess how our minds work. Is it supporting our born-again spirit or contrary to what God is trying to accomplish? Let’s look at Paul’s “check-up from the neck up.”

First, think about things that are true; God’s Word is truth. Accept nothing that does not agree with the Word of God. The devil is the father of lies and will never agree with God’s Word. Second, think about things that are honest, not flattery or boastfulness. Third, think about things that are just. These are things that operate according to God’s will. Fourth, think about things that are pure; purity is being pure without mixture. Don’t allow yourself to be double-minded. Fifth, think about things that are lovely. How would love act in every situation? Sixth, think about things that are of good report. If you can’t think of anything good, think about God and how much He loves you! Seventh, think about things that are of virtue and praise. Celebrate what God has done.

Practical Application

You can fix your attitude when you control your thoughts and your mouth. What your mouth does changes your attitude. Our attitude—shaped by our thoughts—determines our spiritual altitude.

James 3:17; Titus 2:7

Don’t Break Down; Break Through with Thanksgiving

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Paul faced many storms in his ministry life, both metaphorical and physical. People attacked him; the system wanted to snuff him out, and even nature came against him as he strived to fulfill the will of God.

What did Paul do to remain stable and committed to his call amid these challenges? Why didn’t he suffer from anxiety, depression, or have a heart attack from the tremendous stress? The answer to those questions lies in Philippians 4:6-7, and these verses show us how to operate in peace regardless of what is happening. Paul didn’t break down because he learned how to break through in prayer with thanksgiving.

This kind of prayer begins with an exchange. Instead of worrying about something, pray with thanksgiving. The combination of the two is vitally important. Prayer isn't powerful when you are focused on a stressful situation or worry. Instead, it usually ends up as a complaint session. Instead of moaning and groaning, shift your focus to gratitude about what God has done and be thankful for what God plans to do. That will change your focus from the power of the problems to the faithfulness of our God.

We call this kind of prayer the prayer of commitment. It says, “I commit my worry to You, and I choose to be thankful amid a chaotic moment.”

Casting your cares on Him and expecting His power to show up does something supernatural. It will give you a peace that you or anyone else can’t understand. The peace of Christ will guard your mind from breaking and your heart from exploding. You will not break down with anxiety, depression, or worry. Instead, you will break through as the supernatural peace gives you the strength to come out on the other side victoriously.

Practical Application

When you are worried or full of fear and confusion, take five minutes and thank God. Don’t ask God anything yet. Don’t cry about how bad the problem is; thank Him for everything you can think of.

1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22

The Prayer of Consecration

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:41-42)

In Luke 22, we see Jesus contemplating carrying the weight of humanity’s sin on the cross and dying a gruesome death. He knew exactly what was ahead. Everyone would leave Him. People would deride Him, and the physical suffering would be horrendous. We find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, striving in prayer, talking to the Father, and asking if there was any other way for His will to come to pass. But at the end of the prayer, He concluded with, not my will, but yours be done. This is what we call the prayer of consecration. It is surrendering and yielding to God, acknowledging that His ways are above ours.

Christians often start praying this prayer a lot when they first get saved. They say things like, “I want only what you want. Do whatever you want, God!” Then, after several years, the prayer becomes much more like this: “God, this is what I want. Can you get it done?”

This should be the first prayer we pray when dealing with problems. Let’s look at the order in which Jesus prayed:

First, He came before the Father honestly. He expressed His fears, desires, and concerns.

Next, He consecrated the Father’s will entirely. He said, “It’s all about what the Father wants, not what I desire.”

Finally, He stepped out in obedience. He went to the cross. He did the hard thing. He stepped out in faith, knowing He was fulfilling what needed to happen.

Some people add “If it be Thy will” to every prayer they pray. However, when praying for something promised in God’s Word, you already know God’s will, so there’s no need to say, “If it be Thy will.” That phrase should be included only when you are trying to discern God’s will and are willing to do whatever He wants.

Practical Application

When making important decisions, pray as Jesus did: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Be a person of consecration and live a life of worship.

Matthew 20:22; Matthew 26:39