A Happy Heart

I’ve been experimenting for years with what I call my “attitude helpers.” They help me get my work done with a happy heart—even the things I don’t like doing!

1. Prayer always helps—Pray about your attitude toward your daily tasks, the people you serve at home, and your tasks at work. Ask God for His help and His attitude. He can definitely turn your heart into a fountain of joy.
2. Use Scripture for a pep talk—Make a list of verses right out of God’s Word that encourage you while you take care of your responsibilities. My favorite is Psalm 118:24—“This is the day the Lord has made; [I] will rejoice and be glad in it.”
3. Do your work “as to the Lord”—When things seem unbearable or impossible, Colossians 3:23 comes to the rescue: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” This reminder pours fresh joy into an empty heart.
4. Tackle your tasks wholeheartedly—As you face difficult or repetitive tasks, make a conscious decision to tackle them energetically and joyfully. A halfhearted attitude will produce halfhearted results—and you sure don’t need that!
5. Tackle your tasks energetically—Whatever project you face, take on the challenge. Roll up your sleeves, “do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10), and finish fully. You are on a mission!
6. Tackle your tasks creatively—To help make each task exciting, ask yourself, “How can I do this differently? What would make this more fun, more enjoyable?” And my favorite? “How can I beat the clock: do this faster, finish sooner, zip through it?” Do whatever you can to make a game out of your work.
7. Tackle your tasks joyfully—The key to joy is to look at your responsibilities at home and school with anticipation rather than dread. See your tasks as challenges rather than drudgery. Look at each demanding job and decide to do it, to do it well, to do it as to the Lord, and to enjoy doing it. Oh, what a difference joy makes!

RESPOND:

Lord, help me to work with a joyful heart. Give me strength to wholeheartedly accomplish my calling. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Nurturing a Heart of Humility: The Life of Mary by Elizabeth George is a Bible study on the life of Mary. This Bible study makes a great resource for women’s small groups, Sunday School, and personal reflection.

REFLECT:

What tasks am I currently avoiding? How can I make them more enjoyable?

REMEMBER:

Ask God for His help with your attitude!