Daily Devotional – 11/27/11 “What’s with the attitude?”

I am the type of person that when upset or in a bad mood, I tend to be very quiet. I’ve found this to be better than going off on those around me who have nothing to do with the reason for it. I know that things happen; slow drivers, nagging co-workers, stress at home and all that, but is that type of attitude really the only end result? You’ve had a long day at work or school, I get that, but why does the entire house have to deal it with? Why can’t you go into your room or take a drive to clear your head? Coming home with hell on your back won’t make you feel better, I can assure you.

It’s like you washing the car, then it rains and now you’re pissed because the car is getting wet. But didn’t you just use water to wash it or better yet, why didn’t you check the weather first? So why do you have an attitude? The only person to be mad at is you.

It’s like you are out partying all night on Sunday when you know you have to be at work at 8am on Monday. When the alarm clock goes off you’re so mad that it gets thrown across the room. But why are you mad at the alarm clock when you knew you had work while you were dancing until 2AM? Isn’t this your fault? If you can’t answer, I will. Yes, it’s your fault, so why the attitude?

You’re a teenager and upset at the world because your daddy isn’t an active part in your life. You got momma, uncles, aunts and other folk who are raising you, providing for you, feeding you, clothing you and taking care of you when you are sick but you still want the daddy who won’t return your calls. But now you walk around with a chip on your shoulder like the world owes you something. You take out the frustrations you got for daddy out on momma and you know, because you’re old enough to realize, that it’s wrong. Why is momma being battered and bruised because your dad won’t step up? Isn’t she there when you keep getting in trouble at school, when you need shoes & clothes, money for this & that and isn’t she listening when you want to talk? Then why are you beating her down daily with the attitude? As a matter of fact, why are the folk around you getting the brunt of it when it’s no one’s fault but daddy? If you got an issue with him, deal with it. Sit down, write him a letter, seal it, put a stamp on it and mail it. If he reads it or if he does not, you’ve done your part. Now get up out of the ditch you’ve dug for yourself and live. You’re allowing life to pass you by and it isn’t fair, especially not to God who has entrusted you with gifts to use. Stop being the class clown, the one student teachers hate to see coming or somebody who is always causing trouble. Be the person that God has made you to be because the person you are now isn’t it. You’re better than what you’ve become. You’re better than what you’ve been acting like. But guess what? It’s not too late because you still have a life to live, so live it without the attitude. The attitude is rude and it’s makes you ugly.

Again, I know that stuff happens, it’s life! However, those around you shouldn’t be miserable because you’re having a bad day. Deal with it because the world will always throw things in your path that weren’t supposed to be there. That has been promised since before you were born as a result of Eve’s choice in the Garden of Eden, so what makes you exempt from suffering?

There will be days when you don’t feel like going, but go on. There will be days when you don’t feel like doing, but do it anyway. Even through your tiredness, press on. But do it with a clean spirit and without mumbling. If your attitude is jacked up when someone ask you to do this or that, please don’t do it! I’d rather you tell me no when I asked you to drop me off at work than deal with your mean spirit all the way there. I’d rather you say no when I ask to borrow $10 than deal with the complaining you do when you hand it to me. If your plate is too full with everything you’ve got going, then let some things go. You are one person and even when you feel like you can do it all, you can’t and your body will show you. So, deal with what you can deal with and let go of stuff you can’t. Stop with the attitude because it can block the many blessings that God has for you.