There are a lot of old sayings that pop up on social media every so often. One that I’ve heard my whole life is, “It isn’t the heat. It’s the humidity.” However, experience has taught me that when the thermometer rises to near 100 degrees, it IS the heat! Another one that God has actually shown me to be true in every situation, “It isn’t your circumstances that are important. It is your attitude toward them that makes all the difference.” So what should our attitude be as Christian men and women?
Paul sets the bar very high in his letter to the Philippians, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:5) He describes that attitude in his letter to the Colossians, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) That definitely describes the attitude of Jesus alright, but those things don’t always come easy for most of us. That is why we must rely on the prompting and power of the Holy Spirit within us to develop them as part of our attitude.
I think in this era of instant gratification, patience might be the hardest for most of us to master. I wrote last week about how kindness is just love in action. Tenderhearted mercy and gentleness require us to have empathy for others; being able to visualize ourselves in their situation and feel their pain. Without empathy it is difficult or even impossible to properly serve others, satisfying their deepest needs. Empathy comes easier to some of us than others. I can’t remember not feeling it, but then I have been a Christian for a very long time and a relationship with God through Christ softens our heart and makes it possible for us to sympathize and empathize with others. When my mother was in nurses’ training long before I was born, their creed was to provide TLC (Tender Loving Care). I hope that is still the case, but it has always been the duty of Christians.
Another old saying speaks to humility, “It isn’t your altitude but your attitude that is important.” Again we look to Jesus as the supreme example. There is no higher position than God incarnate, yet Jesus considered himself a servant of his Heavenly Father and of mankind. Satan tried unsuccessfully to get him to use his position to human advantage. Turn stones into bread to satisfy his physical hunger; trade his heavenly position for one of earthly rule to satisfy his human pride; and show off by jumping off a tower and have angels catch him. Instead, Jesus used his powerful position to heal and feed others, then die in the place of a world of sinners.
I think the greatest example Jesus gave us was his attitude about his circumstances. While his disciples panicked and feared the storm, Jesus slept in the tossing boat. That is a quiet attitude of confidence which only his Holy Spirit can make possible for us.