So Psh With Your Attitude!

I know, I know. We just had an entry on being respectful to your parents. Ick. Why are we talking about it again? Because, it's that important. We're going to be talking about how to honor our father and mother over the next few entries. So, up first-our attitudes!

Attitude
According to the dictionary, attitude is “the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it."

I love the quote by Charles Swindoll that says “I’m convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.” How true is that? How many times have you walked away from a conversation with your parents feeling like you made everything worse because of how you reacted and behaved? If you have a bad attitude and tend to be a bit blunt or dramatic with your parents, your life is probably pretty dramatic, emotional, and draining. But it you keep your attitude in check and either respond respectfully or just nod your head if you don’t trust opening your mouth, you probably have a pretty smooth, drama-free life full of a lot of give and take and healthy relationships.

Life happens, but how you respond to it is the bigger issue.
No one is above having a bad attitude. It’s up to us to keep our emotions in check and take control of ourselves and be respectful, mature, and God-honoring.

Bad attitudes can be shown in a lot of different ways.
· Rolling your eyes (come on…who’s guilty of this with their parents?)
· Loud sighs or groans
· Slamming doors
· “Whatever” or “Fine!”
· Temper tantrums (ahem…)
· Talking back to your parents
· Short, snippy responses


Here’s a quick quiz to evaluate your attitude towards your parents.

1. You slam the door when your parent(s) make you upset.
A. Never B. Sometimes C. Often

2. When your mom asks you to do something you roll your eyes.
A. Never B. Sometimes C. Often

3. In the past, when you were angry with your parents, you told them to shut up or leave you alone.
A. Never B. Sometimes C. Most of the time

4. If your parent(s) said you could not go to an event you wanted to go to, you would:
A. Accept their instruction B. Try to reason with them C. Go anyway

5. Your mom says you aren’t allowed to wear something (jewelry, clothing, etc.), but your friends are starting to make fun of you. What would you do?
A. Tell your friends what your parents said. B. Argue with your mom C. Wait until your mom leaves and wear it anyway.

Results:
Mostly As: Your attitude seems to be in line with the Word of God. God will reward you as you continue to grow in Him.
Mostly Bs: You seem to walk the fence. You tend to rationalize your actions. Ask God to help you with attitude self-control.
Mostly Cs: You have an attitude problem, and you need to ask God for His guidance and help with your attitude.

Our parents are our authority-the persons that are "in charge" of us. God tells us exactly how we should act towards our authority figures. Read Titus 3:1-2

In your journal, write about a time that you noticed someone else having a bad attitude. Write how you felt about that person at the time, the way other people treated that person, and the way that person treated others. Now write about a time you had a bad attitude. Think of 5 ways we can start changing our attitudes. Ask God to help you follow these changes.