If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5 (NIV)

We’re talking about attitude this week. Yesterday, we talked about how your attitude is really shown when you’re in the middle of a storm. Today, we’re going to look at how your perspective can change your attitude.

Growing up, my family didn’t always have a lot of money. I always felt embarrassed about not having the latest clothes. However, one day, a kid at my school’s house burnt down. The kid lost everything. All his clothes, shoes, pictures…everything. I watched him show up after the fire in clothes that were too small and mismatched. I realized that I had a lot to be thankful for.

Even though I didn’t have the newest and best, I had clothes that fit and match. That day, my perspective changed, and I realized that I had a lot to be thankful for.

The same is really true for all of us. It’s easy to have a bad attitude and think we’re missing out. However, we are probably more blessed than we realize.

When we get focused and get God’s perspective on our situation, we realize that we have so much to be thankful for.

So today, if you’ve had a bad attitude about something in your life, ask God to help you get the right perspective. Like today’s verse says, ask Him for wisdom. He will show you how He sees it. When you do, it will often help you be happier about the things you’re facing.

Getting God’s perspective helps you maintain a good attitude.

Pray: God, I thank you for how good you are. I come to you today and ask for your help. Help me get your perspective on the things I’m facing right now. I ask you to help me maintain a good attitude even when things don’t look good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, – James 1:2 (NIV)

This week, we’re going to focus on our attitudes and character. We’ve probably all heard lots of motivational quotes about attitude. Your coaches probably have told you time and time again that attitude makes a difference. Maybe you’ve even had teachers encouraging you to have a good attitude.

The thing about attitude is that it’s so easy to have a good one when everything is going well. If you’ve just done well on a test at school, it’s easy to feel good and have a good attitude.

However, how is your attitude when things aren’t going well? When you didn’t get asked to a friend’s birthday party when everyone else did. How is your attitude then?

The storms of life reveal your true attitude.

So today, take a good look at yourself. How do you respond when things aren’t going well in your life? Do you need to make any adjustments to your attitude?

If so, ask God to help you. He will give you wisdom and help you get the right perspective on what you’re going through. With God’s help, you’ll find that you can have a good attitude even in the middle of a storm.

Pray: God I thank you for your help. I ask you to give me your perspective on what I'm going through right now. Help me to find peace in you, even if I'm going through a tough season right now. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

It’s easy to wonder if God has forgotten you. Sometimes it can feel like the things you’re praying for are taking WAY too long to come to pass.

The truth is, God always supplies. He always provides, but sometimes, it feels like its taking longer than we expected. It’s hard to be patient in those seasons.

Regardless of what you’re facing or how bad it looks, God always provides for you. His provision might not be as fast as you’d like it, but it’s always on time.

So today, determine to trust God. He’s not going to leave you alone and without help. He always provides for His children.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5 (NIV)

Life can sure be tough sometimes. And it can feel like you’re not sure how to move on or what to do.

The truth is that whatever you need, God has your answer.

God is the wisdom you need if you lack wisdom. If you need friends, God will help provide you friends. If you need encouragement because you’ve been discouraged lately, God will provide that for you too.

God is what you need.

So today, spend some time in God’s word. Talk to God. Ask Him to help you and show you how to deal with what you’re facing.

God wants to walk life with you. He wants to help you each step of the way. So take time all throughout your day to listen to Him. Be open to hearing what He has to say. God will encourage you and give you wisdom and help regardless of what you’re facing.

Pray: God, I thank you that you’re here to walk with me through the things I face. I ask for your help each and every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Neh 8:10 (KJV)

With everything going on right now with the pandemic, you might feel a little unsettled. You probably are upset that your year didn’t turn out the way you had hoped it would.

It’s easy to let circumstances determine your happiness and your outcome in life. However, when you do that, it’s easy to get very unhappy quickly. Circumstances can change fast, and if you base your happiness only on them, you can find yourself disappointed and upset quickly.

Don’t let your circumstances determine your outcome.

The key is to place your happiness and your outcome in Jesus. He’s the one that will see you through. That way regardless of whether things around you are going the way you want them to or not, you can be content.

Today, if you’ve allowed your circumstances to determine your outcome, choose to adjust your focus. Choose to look at Jesus, and let your relationship with Him bring you joy, not the circumstances around you.

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. – 2 Cor 9:8 (NLT)

Right now, it might feel like there’s a lot of lack around you. Maybe you run into the stores and see that there’s not a lot of meat. Perhaps you’re concerned that your parents might not have enough money because they’re not working as much as they usually do.

It’s easy to wonder if you’re going to make it when things get tough.

Here’s the good news. God loves you. He has always provided for His children in the middle of difficult circumstances. From providing manna in the wilderness to food from birds, God always provides for His children.

So take comfort today. God’s provision is good. It will be there for you when you need it. You don’t have to be afraid, God will take care of you!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Do you find it’s harder to love others deeply in times like these? When things just don’t feel right. When it’s hard to find the food you want and when school is not how you’re used to it.

How do you deal with your brother driving you crazy? Your mom stressed out about not working and missing all your friends and everything that is normal.

It’s hard to be nice and love others when things seem really hard right now.

However, God doesn’t ask us to do something we can’t do. And when it’s hard to love and forgive others, sometimes it’s helpful to remember all the things you’ve been forgiven of.

Remind yourself of how you didn’t deserve God’s love, and yet He freely gave it to you. He forgave you, loved you and rescued you.

So because you’ve been forgiven and loved when you didn’t deserve it, you can begin to forgive and love others around you when they don’t deserve it.

Today choose to love the people in your life. Yes, they might drive you crazy at times, but choose to love them and forgive them. You’ll be glad you did!

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, – Luke 4:18

Jesus came to preach the good news. He didn’t have a message of defeat and discouragement, rather He preached the good news. What was this good news that He preached? It was a message of freedom. He told those who were captive they could be free.

This is good news. This means that no matter what you’re facing, Jesus has a message of freedom for you. If you are discouraged, Jesus has your answer. If you’re fearful, Jesus has what you need. If you struggle with low self-esteem, Jesus tells you that you have worth. Whatever you struggle with, Jesus is your freedom.

[Tweet “No matter what you’re facing, Jesus is your freedom – @studentdevos”]

This is the good news of the gospel. It’s that Jesus is the answer to what you’re searching for. He’s the answer to your problems, and if you’ll let Him into your life, He’ll be the peace you need and solution for any situation you face.

Pray: Jesus, I thank you that you have the answer to everything I’m facing. I ask you to bring me peace and help me through these uncertain times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.