Sitting on the floor, off by myself in a corner of the room, I sang:
I think I'll go eat worms! Big fat juicy ones,
Ensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!
A dark cloud was encompassing me and I was in a foul mood. I don’t recall the circumstances that triggered my funk but I knew my sour attitude was wrong, even though I was just a young girl. During my growing-up years, I would occasionally surrender to debilitating bouts of negativity. Wallowing in despondency, I willingly listened to Satan’s discouraging lies.
As an adult, I am sometimes tempted to return to that state, but I know it’s a place I don’t want to go. When I am assailed with such thoughts, I often rehearse the following in my mind: Satan is defeated. The victory has been won. “Thanks be to God who always causes [me] to triumph” (2 Cor. 2:14, NIV).
I have learned that, with God’s help, I can fight the demon of self-pity by clothing myself in a “garment of praise” that lifts my “spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3). I can let the peace of Christ rule in my heart and practice thankfulness by singing with gratitude “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:15-16).
On my desk is a motto that says, “Attitude is everything.” It reminds me that, whatever is happening in my life, I can choose my attitude. Instead of singing about eating worms, I renew my spirit by singing praises to God! As Jeff and Sheri Easter sing, “Jesus is with me, so I’ll claim the victory, over and over again.”
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