%20Logo_transparent.png)
It was early morning, but I was already running late.
I sluggishly made my way to the kitchen and was met by a significant problem. THERE. WAS. NO. COFFEE! Ladies, no sweet-smelling aroma was awaiting my presence at our preprogrammed pot. Since my husband kindly prepares the coffee every night, it is usually waiting for me with my favorite mug beside the pot.
But not this morning! How could this be!!??
I frantically began to rummage through my kitchen cabinets only to confirm that we were out of coffee!
For me, there is NOTHING worse, than being entirely out of the sweet-smelling roasted beans! (That may or may not be a slight exaggeration.) But seriously, when I roll out of bed expecting a warm fresh cup of joe, only to realize another family member drank the last drop; well, let’s just say this is a problem for the girl who needs to drink a cup of coffee before she can make a cup of coffee.
I realized that I had two choices at this moment (as I talked myself off the ledge). I could choose to let my attitude spiral downward because my expectations were not met. Or I could choose to forgive the person who drank My last bit of coffee. HA! Please don’t send me messages defending my husband; I’m kidding – I realize that my name was not on the bag of beans.
Though in reality, this was such a simple problem, sometimes it is the littlest of things where I struggle to control my attitude.
How about you? Are you controlled by external events or your internal thoughts? What is a girl to do when she feels her attitude spiraling South?
Here’s what is helping me:
Understand that when we control our mind, we control our conduct. Our thoughts are the control center for our body, which determines our actions. So when you protect your thoughts, you protect your attitude. In other words, control your mind, and you will control your conduct.
Proverbs 4:23 reads, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” It is so true!
In this moment of facing the empty coffee pot, I had to remind myself that this was a first world problem. Right??? Most mornings I have coffee and for that I am thankful. I have a husband who shares the loves of coffee and for that I am thankful. Many people around the world do not have the pleasure of coffee each morning. Sometimes, I forget to thank the Lord for small things.
Ladies, you and I can decide to move forward with a positive attitude instead of being pulled into negative thoughts and negative actions. We have a choice. We have the power. We have the goodness of a Holy Spirit living within us, giving grace for the big victories and small victories in our everyday living.
Then I search for a solution that is a win/win for everyone involved. The best plan was to keep my mouth from whining or complaining. The best solution was for me to get out the door as quickly as possible so I could buy a coffee cup on the way to my destination.
I did, and it was a tasty warm cup.
Ladies, whatever you face today – no matter how small or big the challenge, remember to guard your mind for attitudes are won within! When you control your mind, you control your conduct. So guard your heart today because everything you do flows from it.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
