Change it or accept it?
Those are the two choices we usually face when we become aware of something that we don’t like. For instance, more people voted to change things rather than accept things last Tuesday.
Sure, we can also ignore, deny, rationalize, justify or blame others for things that don’t seem right.
But, when it is something about ourselves, it’s not always easy to know what can actually be changed, or what must be accepted. Growing up I wanted to be taller and faster so that I could be a star wide receiver in the NFL. (If I were Randy Moss I would hustle like crazy on every play.)
Many people, like the Serenity Prayer, that asks for the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Can attitudes be changed? Or just managed?
Is it possible to intentionally become more joyful and grateful? Or, do you have to accept your temperament?
You know people, and I do, too, who are so positive that even the worst crises don’t shake them. While there are others who are so negative that even the best circumstances can’t cheer them up.
Can a person become more thankful? Can a person have a more grateful heart?
This Sunday we begin a three-week series, With Thanksgiving…, because growing our Gratitude Quotient is one of the best things that can happen to us. Actually, it’s one of the only things that makes sense of our existence. And, everyday our lives are robbed and overstressed because we chase things that really can’t make our hearts glad.
Don’t worry, we’re not going to waste time on feeling guilty about not being more thankful. We are going to work on a little realignment that will free us to enjoy God and the life that he gives us.
Check out Romans 1:18-25 to get one of the best descriptions of how we got off the rails when it comes to gratitude. From a negative example comes a beautiful picture of what God intended.
Grateful people breathe life and joy into the environment. And they get unstuck from the things that destroy life.
Sounds good to me.
*DON'T FORGET TO "FALL BACK" AN HOUR TONIGHT!*