Today is April 1. It’s the beginning of a new month and a new challenge. Two years ago, I accepted the Blogging from A to Z challenge. Each day is assigned a letter of the alphabet and as a blogger, we are to write about something beginning with that letter. Again this April, I will be sharing my thoughts on the alphabet.

On one of my recent flights, I flipped through a magazine. Guess what I found? From A to Z, a list of easy little tricks to energize your attitude (happiness boosters).[i] How convenient! My A to Z list has already been done for me…well at least the ideas for each letter. Of course, I know the best way to energize our attitude. It’s God’s Spirit living within you and me. So stick with me through the month as we examine God’s plan for energizing your attitude and by April 30, your attitude should be pretty energized.

Jennifer Rainey Marquez tells us that we should learn to “Appreciate the Present.” She stresses the importance of savoring the moment and to shift our perspective to focus on something positive instead of what is negative.

I think we all can understand savoring. That moment we place something on our tongue that screams deliciousness or refreshment. You know you’ve done it. Allowed that food or drink to linger just a bit in your mouth so that you could find great satisfaction. It might be accompanied by an “mmm” or body gesture or even the closing of eyes. However you acknowledge this perfect morsel in your mouth, you’ve learned through the years to savor those precious perfections.

Now let me ask you. When was the last time you savored God? His abundant goodness? His amazing grace? His extravagant love? His inexpressible generousness? His gentle comfort? When we take the time to enjoy being in God’s presence, we savor all that He is and all that He has to give to us. Sometimes it might be a quick “taste” and then we’re off again, but to really enjoy all that God has for you and me, we must savor. We must take our time. We must linger.

Psalm 34:8 (NIV) reminds us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” When we allow ourselves to spend time savoring God, we will see God’s goodness, be blessed and find refuge in Him. I can’t think of a better way to get an attitude adjustment!

Another way to savor God is by thinking about Him and His kingdom above other things in our world and lives. Focusing on the positive instead of the negative will certainly help with our attitude. Take a look at what God’s Word has to say about it.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:33 (NIV) clearly points us to think about something positive. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” When our thoughts and desires revolve around God’s goodness, righteousness and the work He is doing in our lives, we are able to renew our spirit and attitude.

And we also see in Colossians 3:2 (NIV) that we are to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Oh I know, we live on the earth and earthly things will distract us, but when our minds are “set” on things above, we are more Kingdom focused, Kingdom driven and Kingdom thinkers. We must realize that the evil one has control here on earth, but “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 – NIV)

There is plenty of negative thrown at us each day, but let’s be determined to focus on the positive. To think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 – NIV)

I pray that these words will help you today as you allow God’s Spirit to work on your attitude. I pray that you will spend time with God and savor Him. I also pray that you will look for something positive in every situation today. This is just the beginning!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today,” Jennifer Rainey Marquez, Good Housekeeping, Vol. 260, No. 4.