Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the Habit. Talk about your Joys. Rita Schiano

Let’s face it; sometimes life isn’t what we thought it was going to be. Our high school years were spent looking forward to our college years, and our college years looking forward to graduation, but then you graduate and what?

Seriously. What?

For some people their life is no longer on the “track” of education and graduation and though we might be excited to begin our career it’s still a rough transition. I know one of the most abrupt changes after college was feeling like my brain wasn’t doing work anymore. I tried reading books, or watching documentaries, but it’s not the same as daily absorbing book loads of information from your professors.

That also included my spiritual life. It’s much more difficult to pull yourself out of bed for Sunday church when all your roommates aren’t doing the same thing, or if you live alone. It is much more difficult for me to focus during a Bible Study because if I wasn’t learning the Greek root of the word then it felt like it wasn’t worth learning. It’s good that God loves us despite ourselves.

Amidst all this struggle and strife of transition, I felt I was losing the perky and positive attitude that I had all throughout my school years. I found getting up at the same time every day, going to the same office, sitting at the same desk, and talking to the same people sometimes felt maddening. I felt my attitude reflecting this and I knew I needed some help from above.

We often think of showing Christ’s love through our actions and through our love of people in some grand fashion, but showing it through our attitude everyday is just as important.

When I talk about a positive attitude I’m not talking about throwing on a fake smile 24/7 or forcing your shy self to be cheery and outgoing. I’m talking about speaking with respect to others, choosing to build up rather than tear down, and choosing to talk about the positive instead of always complaining.

I think it’s important for us to spend the hours of our day, even the ones at work, exuding the love and peace that God gives us only in Christ. We are certain that we cannot be separated from His love. We are certain that He loves us. We are certain that he has a plan for us. Hold on to these promises amidst the changes and transitions in life…and through the days that all seem the same.

The next time you feel tired, instead of reaching for that 3rd cup of coffee, ask God for the strength and encouragement to finish the task you need to do. When you feel frustrated with a colleague or friend, pray for patience and understanding instead of avoiding them. With God’s love as the source of your motivation, you find yourself serving in your vocation with joy.

Here’s a verse I pray when I feel I want to love my coworkers or family better:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Here’s a verse I pray when my morning isn’t going how I had planned and I need an extra boost.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

Here’s what I pray when work feels monotonous and never-ending:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23

Here’s what I pray when my attitude is in need of improvement:
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15

Here’s where I look when I fail to have a God-pleasing attitude, fail to love my coworkers and family, fail to see God’s love as my daily motivation:
The cross of Christ.

That’s where I find forgiveness and an eternal attitude of His perfect love for me.