Another Attitude Adjustment

I’ve learned that when God gives me a thought to share on Prayerfully Penned, it is always best for me to sit and share it immediately. My thoughts are so fleeting these days, between the several tasks that are at hand. I’m sure anyone reading this can relate. It seems to be the order of the day every day – so much to do, so little time! But today He gave me a little attitude adjustment that I felt compelled to share.

How easy it is to recognize when we have fallen short. How easy it is to recognize when God is teaching us yet another lesson to learn. And how easy it is to let that get us down, rather than lift us up! It’s all about perspective.

Every day we are likely convicted with sin at some point, or should be, for we are imperfect humans. Although we may not intentionally choose a pattern of sin in our life, and live for the most part righteous lives, we will never be perfect and are continually being refined by God for the day of Christ. As we are refined, God shows us areas that need, shall we say, “tweaking,” or “reteaching” (to borrow a term from my days in public education.) For me, this is a daily happening! He is continually showing me my imperfect attitudes, motives, and responses. And although I know that I am continually forgiven, it can be easy for these revelations of imperfection to get me down.

It is right for me to recognize and repent of my imperfections as I pray; but at the same time, I can choose to rejoice! Why? Because God loves me enough to continue to speak to me and teach me the way in which I should go. Hallelujah! He could have, and rightly so, given up on me long ago. But thanks to Jesus He didn’t! As such, every time the Spirit convicts me of sin, even “tweaking” me through the sometimes painful consequences that follow, I can rejoice knowing that He loves me, and that no amount of necessary reteaching will ever separate me from His love. How blessed I am that the Father in Heaven looks down to earth and considers it worth His time to keep working on me!

I’m sharing my attitude adjustment with you today, in hope that it might encourage you to not let Satan trick you into viewing God’s refining process through the wrong lens. Rejoice that He cares enough to refine! Don’t focus on the need for reteaching. Focus on the gracious gift of the Teacher.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Ps. 32:8, 11