Your Attitude Can Make You Patient with All

Coming off a week of gratitude that produces joy makes me ponder the importance of our attitude. Our attitude can help us see things with the right perspective to live our lives to the full. Imagine having an attitude of gratitude all the time, now just once a year or one week a year, but daily and how it could impact your life and the lives of those you come into contact with. Could a good attitude help you remain patient in the midst of a chaotic world? Might a good attitude enable you to be patient with everyone? How about when stress comes into the picture, might a good attitude help you deal with and work through it?

The Power of a Dad’s Attitude

As dads, our attitude shapes not only our outlook but also the atmosphere of our homes. The Bible reminds us that our mindset deeply influences how we interact with others, especially in moments of stress or frustration. One key verse that speaks to this is:

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.“

1 Thessalonians 5:14

This verse calls us to patience—a hallmark of love and a reflection of Christ’s character. A patient attitude allows us to remain calm under pressure, respond with wisdom instead of anger, and be a steady anchor for our families.

Patience Begins with Gratitude

Patience grows from a heart centered on gratitude and trust in God. When we focus on the blessings in our lives and lean on God’s strength, our perspective shifts, making it easier to remain patient with others.

Practical Application:

1. When you feel stressed or impatient, pause and reflect on what you’re grateful for in that moment. This habit can redirect your attitude and calm your heart.
2. Memorize and pray through Galatians 5:22-23, which lists patience as a fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.“ Ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate patience within you.
3. Model patience by responding calmly to your children’s mistakes or misbehavior. Use these moments to teach them grace and self-control, showing them what patience looks like in action.

A Positive Attitude Fuels Patience

Another powerful scripture that emphasizes attitude is:

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.“

Philippians 2:14-15

When our attitude avoids grumbling or complaining, we create an environment where patience thrives. A positive attitude rooted in trust and joy in the Lord equips us to handle challenges without bitterness or anger.

Practical Application:

1. Start each day by thanking God for specific blessings, both big and small, to set the tone for a positive attitude.
2. When tempted to grumble, replace your complaints with praise. Teach this practice to your children, helping them develop a spirit of gratitude and patience.
3. Create a family tradition of sharing things you’re thankful for at the dinner table. This practice can help shift everyone’s perspective and cultivate a patient, joyful atmosphere at home.

Patience Through Humility and Forgiveness

A third verse that teaches us about the impact of attitude is:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12-13

This passage highlights that patience stems from humility and compassion, and it often manifests in forgiveness. As dads, embodying these virtues can make a profound impact on our relationships, especially when conflicts arise.

Practical Application:

1. When someone frustrates you—whether it’s your child, spouse, or someone else—pause and pray for God to give you a compassionate heart before responding.
2. Seek forgiveness quickly when you’ve made a mistake and extend forgiveness to others without hesitation.
3. Practice humility by putting the needs of your family above your own preferences, especially in stressful situations.

Cultivating a Christ-Centered Attitude

Your attitude is a powerful tool that shapes how you navigate life’s challenges and relationships. By cultivating gratitude, avoiding grumbling, and clothing yourself in compassion and humility, you can develop the patience God calls us to have. As 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Philippians 2:14-15, and Colossians 3:12-13 remind us, patience is not only essential for healthy relationships but also reflects the character of Christ in us.

When you choose to approach life with gratitude and humility, you create an atmosphere of love and peace in your home, modeling Christ-like behavior for your children. This week, challenge yourself to focus on your attitude in moments of stress or frustration. Pause, reflect on God’s blessings, and ask for His help to respond with patience and grace. By doing so, you’ll bless your family and grow as the dad God created you to be.

Topic: PATIENT WITH ALL

Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

‘We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]. [Is 35:4] ‘

Let’s be the dads who are believers and choose to live within the lines defined by God. That means being the dads who choose to live disciplined, obedient, and orderly lives, encouraging the timid who lack spiritual courage, help the spiritually weak, and are very patient with everyone by controlling our tempers by having a good attitude.

Today’s Devotional kicks off using the analogy of a bug bite to bring to mind the “nagging itch and redness it creates” and how “it’s difficult to focus on anything else because all you can think about is how much you want to scratch it.” It continues to express how can even get so bad that “you want to let out a scream because of the annoying irritation.” Has anything ever done this to you? Be it a bug bite or something else that has triggered this type of a response or reaction?

Today’s Devotional brings up such a question when it asks, “Have you ever felt this way about a person?” Did they get under your skin somehow? Did they become an irritant to you? Might it have been “a family member who continually nags you?” What about “a young child who constantly asks ‘Why?'” Could it be someone “who has a annoying habit”? Maybe on a rough day it ends up being “a store cashier who is particularly slow”?

It’s important that we set the table right and have the right attitude or the wheels can fall off. If we aren’t careful, we can “react with biting words and explosive tempers.” Let’s consider how God would want us to handle the storms that come our way. Today’s Devotional provides us with scripture to help “us to apply the soothing ointment of His grace to our interactions with others.” We aren’t supposed to do it alone! God’s told us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us, so “next time a person’s words or actions cause you irritation, ask God to help you respond with patience and love.”

“The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the Lord.

JONI EARECKSON TADA