“But, Mom, I want that toy.”
I missed getting that toy because of the tantrum I pitched. Had I just accepted things as they were without the tantrum, Mom may have gotten it for me eventually.
Attitudes do matter. Sometimes they are good; sometimes they are bad. Bad attitudes get us nowhere with our parents. This is also true with our jobs, marriages, friendships, or any other area of our lives. Our attitudes can take us far in life or they can cause us grief and disappointment.
The Scripture about Cain and Abel is a good example of this. They each presented an offering to God. God accepted Abel’s offering but did not accept Cain’s. Abel gave his offering with genuineness while Cain gave his with insincerity and carelessness.
God knows our heart and purpose for doing things. He could see Abel was sincere in his offering, but He knew Cain was not. Later, we can tell Cain’s heart was not right because he killed his brother out of jealousy.
God told Cain he would be accepted if he did what was right, but if he did not, sin would crouch at the door, eager to control him. Cain failed to heed the warning and was “cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood.”
We must examine our lives and ask God to forgive us for any wrongdoing. Our attitudes do matter. Just as with Cain, God knows our heart and expects us to have an offering (attitude) pleasing to Him. He expects us to freely give our lives to Him for His glory alone.
Do not let a bad attitude cause you to miss the blessings God has for you.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Earle Readett lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of He Is Worthy Ministry. He is also the owner of Wildlife Wrangler of the Lakelands as well as the music minister at Buffalo Baptist Church in McCormick, SC. He enjoys hiking in the mountains and spending time with his wife, Lisa. You can contact him at www.heisworthyministry.com and follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/281509419804526.