Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Rachel Baker, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

I’m sure this is a familiar scene to most of us:

A tired mom is working her way through the grocery store with her children, trying her best to remember everything that is on her list while managing the chaos around her…

And at least one of her kids is screaming and crying all the way through the store.

For those who have never raised children or spent long periods of time caring for them, it’s easy to think, “Good grief, what is wrong with that woman? If that was my kid, they would not be allowed to act like that. She needs to get control of her kids.”

Have you ever had an attitude like that towards others? Or maybe heard a similar response from someone else?

If you, however, have found yourself in a similar situation, you know the stress and emotions that come along with it. You know what led up to that moment in your day, you know that you were doing your absolute best to get through the experience, and you know the embarrassment you felt as another tiny human acted in a way that was completely beyond your control.

How does that affect your attitude towards this precious mother? Maybe you’re more inclined to offer a smile or a word of encouragement as you pass. You might even offer a high five and say something like, “You’re doing great, Mom. You’ve got this.”

When we can relate to others and truly feel empathy towards them and their situation, our attitudes are completely redefined by our understanding and experiences. We are more gracious, merciful, forgiving, and compassionate towards those who are hurting when we know the struggle they are experiencing in a personal way.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

The scenario above is much easier to relate to for those who have actually experienced that same situation, but that doesn’t mean others cannot also be compassionate when they see this mother struggling through her day. We have all struggled in different ways, and we know the relief that is felt when we receive comfort from others. More importantly, we know the blessing of receiving comfort from a gracious God in all our troubles.

When you see others having a hard day or dealing with a situation that you think should be handled in a different way, how do you respond? Are you willing to offer that word of encouragement or a smile of comfort instead of judging what only your eyes can see?

How can we encourage one another to remain gracious and compassionate towards others in our daily life?

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Written by Corina Diaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Argentina.

Humility is a quality or value that allows us to recognize our limits and accept them, in this sense, it invites us to reflect on our ego and our true nature.

At one point in my life, I considered that humility had to do with humiliation and modesty before others, so I had a tendency to lower my self-esteem in order to maintain a humble attitude. However, when I realized that it is about another concept, perhaps a little more positive, then my perspective changed. Being humble is about being able to identify my abilities and us them in service to my neighbor. So, why do we have to hide what we do well to appear humble? This is not necessary, and Jesus gives us a clear example in Luke 9:46-48:

“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.””

As I read this message from Jesus, I want to think about how a child thinks. Children do not lower their self-esteem to help others, on the contrary, they insist many times on helping. They also tend to accept the people around them without prejudice, and depending on their age, they do not know anything about ego, they simply give what they have to give and practice what they have learned. The disciples wondered who would be the greatest, perhaps thinking of wisdom or actions that they had accumulated over their time with Jesus, but what a surprise! Jesus Himself tells them that there is someone much greater than them, someone who does not know everything they know, but who is capable of approaching things with a mind free of prejudices and with the simple intention of learning: a child.

God does not have a scorecard for each one of us, but He is pleased with those who add their gifts in service to the Kingdom of God. Appreciating our own gifts and using them reveals an attitude of humility that only God can recognize in us. When we evaluate what we are capable of doing or not, we are preparing ourselves to serve in a better way, that is, to stop the pride of saving our qualities solely for our personal achievements. Rather, we allow Jesus to show us the best way to use them. Thus we become like a child who comes with a pure heart bringing what he has barely learned and wanting to allow it to be used without selfish intentions.

Written by Michelle J. Goff

Jesus humbled Himself by always looking to His Father. The relationship He had with the Father permitted Him to maintain His focus under a variety of circumstances, always maintaining the right attitude.

Can you imagine what kind of attitude you might’ve had when the Messiah was accused before the Sanhedrin, then taken to Pilate? He was falsely accused, betrayed, despised, rejected… Yet like a lamb being led to the slaughter, He did not open His mouth (Is. 53:7). Wow!
My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… in adversity.

Even in my efforts to be welcoming to all, an attitude of self-righteousness can creep in. However, Jesus always chose to see and to spend time with the least popular, the unseen, the rejected, the sick who recognized they needed a doctor… He even invited Himself over to eat with the sinners (Luke 19, Zacchaeus).
Jesus had no home, but He always embodied a spirit of hospitality, an attitude of hospitality.
My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… in hospitality.

The introverts prefer to serve behind-the-scenes. The extroverts would rather serve in a more public way—anywhere that is out with the people. No matter our personality type, we want to serve in the ways that we prefer to serve. Jesus chose the lowliest job to show the full extent of His love—washing the disciples’ feet (John 13). “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… in service.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first.
Treat others as you want to be treated.
Love God and love others.
My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… in everything.

What if my attitude were the same as that of Christ Jesus? How would my day look different? My conversations? My actions and reactions?

If I am to allow God to transform me more and more into the image of His Son, in what area do I need to ask for an attitude adjustment? Have I asked God to redefine my attitude to be more in line with that of Christ Jesus? That may feel like a dangerous prayer, but it is a worthwhile one!

Written by Michelle J. Goff

Naomi and Felicity were twin sisters—fraternal twins, not identical ones. Like the meaning of their names, Naomi was pleasant, and Felicity was happy. They shared many things in common and often had parallel experiences even though they were in different classes at school. They lived through good times and hard times growing up. And then, they were both young professionals in search of a job…

Felicity sent out her resume, called to follow up with the companies, and was able to schedule four interviews for the following week.
Naomi sent out her resume, called to follow up with the companies, and was able to schedule three interviews for the following week.
Felicity was happy for her sister.
Naomi felt jealous that her sister scheduled one more interview than she did. Her attitude began to sour.

The week of the interviews arrived…
Felicity chose to wear something she already owned. Naomi felt discontent with her wardrobe. With no time to shop for a new outfit before the first interview, and no money to buy anything anyway, Naomi muttered under her breath as she complained aloud that she had nothing to wear.

Felicity spilled coffee on her shirt, feeling nervous about two interviews on the same day. Grateful that it happened before she left the house, she quickly changes her shirt and runs out the door, grabbing a scarf in case she had another spill later.
Naomi was equally nervous, but her attitude had her focused on lamenting that she only had one interview that day. On an emotional roller coaster, she secretly smiled knowing that she wasn’t the one to spill coffee like her sister did. Yet she frowned in the mirror bemoaning the rumpled clothes she already hadn’t wanted to wear. The clothes had gotten wrinkled after a frantic search for her keys in every nook and cranny of the apartment. Agitated and very late, Naomi finally found her keys and ran out the door, feeling defeated. She assumed that the interview was already a lost cause.

Both girls arrived at their respective interviews and, before I proceed with the story, I invite you to pause with me in order to reflect on a few questions:
How were the two girls the same? How were they different?
What about their attitudes?

As soon as this illustration started, we could’ve renamed Naomi Mara, which means bitter. You may be familiar with that name from Ruth’s mother-in-law in the book of Ruth. Upon their return to Bethlehem, Naomi asked that she be called Mara. Tragic circumstances had left her feeling forgotten, pained, alone, and forsaken. “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21). Mara felt a shell of her formerly pleasant self.

In Ruth chapters 2-4, we see Naomi’s attitude begin to change as she recognizes God’s provision and care. She has begun to look to God again and to trust in Him. Since attitude determines the direction we are headed, we have the choice to spiral down or look up.

Back to Felicity and Naomi… Based solely on their attitudes, how do you think the interviews went?

Since this is a completely made-up story for illustration purposes, I am going to allow you to fill in the blanks and imagine how the rest of the story goes. As you play out the scene using your imagination, here are a few important things to keep in mind.

• Our moods shift with the circumstances. Attitude is a choice.
• At any point in a situation, we can choose to change our attitude and positively affect the outcome, especially our response to the outcome.
• God is bigger than any situation or circumstance. He is powerful to redeem and gracious to forgive.
• When we remember that attitude is not dependent on our circumstances, we can choose a good attitude during difficult times.
• The best attitude is one that looks to God, thus allowing us to see Him beyond our circumstances.

How is your attitude today? Are you allowing your mood or your circumstances to dictate how the rest of your day goes? Or are you choosing an attitude that looks to and trusts in God? How can we encourage an Iron Rose Sister in her attitude without dismissing her difficult circumstances?

Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Years ago, I heard this quote: “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Our attitude and demeanor often define how high we will reach and, as Christians, how low we will reach.

Philippians 2:5-11 says, “Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Verses 3-4 of the same chapter say, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, love is not self-seeking. Our redefined attitude is characterized by humility, by looking out for the best interest of others. It is also characterized by being Spirit-led.

Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

If we are called to live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit, we must know what that looks like.

How can I tell if I’m being led by the Spirit?
• When you feel prompted to do or say something that aligns with Scripture, but that is out-of-character (something you wouldn’t naturally do or say).
• When your actions, words, and mindset become more aligned with God’s.
• Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruit of the Spirit. If we are increasing in these areas, it is a sign we are being led by the Spirit.

As followers of Christ, our attitude should be like His. Our attitude should be redefined by humility and by being Spirit-led.

How is your attitude demonstrating humility? How are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you?

Written by Monica Dye, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, Arkansas

Attitude.We often say this word, but what does it mean? When my daughter was young and would sass back to me I would say to her, “watch your attitude.” To which she would answer, “I don’t have an attitude.” How often do we think or say that same thing? We all have an attitude about many things. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad.

Attitude, as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary means “a mental position with regard to a fact or state, or a feeling or emotion with/toward a fact or state.” Simply put, I think attitude is how I react to things that happen to me or around me. Sometimes I react positively, and sometimes I react negatively. But I always have an attitude.

Let’s redefine attitude to find out how God wants us to react to things that happen to us or around us. We think God always wants us to have a positive attitude to everything around us. We read Philippians 2:5, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset (attitude) as Christ Jesus” (ESV). Wow! That’s hard. Jesus loved everyone; some people annoy me. How do I react to them positively? What can I do?

Well, yes, Jesus did love everyone. But He also did not just approve of everything they did. Many times, in the Gospels He criticized the teachers of the Law. In Matthew 23, He called the Pharisees “hypocrites,” “snakes,” and “brood of vipers” (ESV). This was as He was pronouncing seven woes upon them. It sure doesn’t sound like a positive attitude towards them to me. The difference is, Jesus was saying these things out of love for them. He still cared about them. He knew their hearts were far from Him, He did not approve of their actions, yet He still loved them enough to die for them. This is the attitude we are called to have! We are called to love and care about our fellow humans. We don’t have to approve of their actions, but we have to love them.

If the definition of attitude is how we react to people and the things around us, how can we have the same attitude as Jesus? Can we call the people around us a brood of vipers or hypocrites? We have to be sure that our motives are in the right place. And that has to be out of love for them. The Bible teaches us how to have pure motives about how we react to people in several places. Here’s just a few:

1. “Love one another” (John 13:34, ESV)
We have to have an attitude of loving each other even when we are criticizing each other. Otherwise, we are just being mean.

2. “In humility, value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:3 ESV)
If you read the context of Philippians 2, we learn that Jesus did not look out for His own interests, but for the interests of others. He spoke to the Pharisees harshly because he was concerned for them. He wanted them to learn how to really know God.

3. “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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” (Phil. 4:8 ESV) In other words, let your attitude towards things be pure. Think about God and why He treated people as He did.

My attitude is certainly not always perfect. I lose my temper. I get frustrated. I lose patience. I have been and will always continue to work on my attitude through prayer and study. How about you? How will you work on your attitude?

For further reflection, study these verses:

James 3:18

James 4:1-12

Colossians 3:23