I'd like to encourage you (and myself) to toss out the idea of “New Year’s Resolutions” and instead cultivate areas of character development. The first character trait is directed towards our attitudes.
I determine to exhibit a persistent ATTITUDE of praise and to write down three examples each day.
Now wait...this is not a guilt session! God in His grace is patient with us. He’s definitely not out to whack us every chance He gets. But as believers who walk in relationship with Him, we should expect to see some positive outworking of our faith in our lives. It’s in that spirit that we aim for an attitude of praise.
Take some time for an attitude check and consider these questions: In what areas of your life has your attitude helped you make a significant contribution? Have you found your attitude revealing areas of pride, criticism, bitterness, anger, or resentment? What about evidence of personal growth displayed by an attitude of thankfulness, authenticity, acceptance, peace, humility, or genuine care for others?
I leave you with the lyrics of an old Thanksgiving hymn titled “Thanks to God for My Redeemer” (1891) and penned by August Ludvig Storm. At age 32, he became painfully disabled until his death 16 years later.
Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!
Lord, as the words of this hymn speak praise to You, may You continue cultivating in us this kind of soul. Amen.
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