I can easily lapse into wearing my discontent on my sleeve. It's probably in my DNA. I'm sure that somewhere in my DNA strand is a PYU gene (Publicize Your Unhappiness). So, I have to always work on that. The last few days, it was probably a losing battle but I am determined to do better today. One day at a time, right?

When I think about handling discontent in our lives, I think of three ways to do that. All of these need to be bathed in prayer but those three things that can wipe away our unhappiness all involve change. Funny thing, none of us likes change but it is necessary if we're going to move forward from where we're at.

First, you can change your Attitude. I Corinthians 14:15 (MSG) says that "I should sing with my spirit, and sing with my mind." Now I realize that this is not an easy thing to do and I also may be using the scripture a tiny bit out of context but my point is that what we're thinking to ourselves has a huge bearing on our happiness or lack thereof. No one has taught me this better than my wonderful Lisa has. This is something I saw in her from the moment we met many, many (okay, add one more "many") years ago. No matter the situation she is faced with, she maintains her happiness and holds faith in the future that things will be okay. As she often verbalizes to our young son "You can choose to be happy or choose to be unhappy about the situation. That choice is yours but the situation remains." As I have watched her live, she has also taught me that same thing. What a huge testimony she speaks in her own quiet, selfless way. Just one of the many reasons I love her ... I will move on before I get too teary-eyed.

Next, you can also change your Perspective when things become a bit too much to bear. This is all pretty scriptural stuff. Remember your blessings. Look for God's blessings all around us. Strive to show God's love at all times. Work to get along with everyone around you. Approach them with love and grace rather than a bad attitude. I have found in my life that, when I get down, I need to kick myself to make this happen but it is possible change my perspective entirely by focusing on the good things in my life. For someone with the PYU gene, it is sometimes more immediately satisfying to moan and groan but, deep down, I know that long term change and growth occur by changing my Perspective.

Finally, you can change your Situation. This is a step that I have never had to take, at least not to a large degree, and I cannot imagine the difficulty in taking this step. Of course, oftentimes, this step comes out of brokenness and it is out of brokenness that God raises a renewed spirit within us that can accomplish amazing things. Certainly, changing your Situation requires a lot of prayer and seeking God's direction. Sometimes, we will be in unhappy circumstances and God will work with our Attitude and Perspective to help us to grow in Him. Sometimes that is enough. But, there are other times when I believe we just flat out land in the wrong Situation. I think that, when a life transformed by God is in the wrong Situation, He will make it very clear that change is necessary.

Discontent? Change your Attitude, Perspective, or Situation. Bathe it in prayer and seek His direction ... or you can stay where you're at and do nothing.

(Okay, I have to confess, I wanted to re-order those as Attitude, Situation, Perspective so that I could title this post "Watch Your ASP" but I thought better ... I could never actually write such a thing as that!)