A Good Enough Attitude Affects Your Relationships

[hldude]

"A Good Enough Attitude Affects Your Relationships"
By Zach Wood
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.


Your relationships with others can and will be greatly affected when you exhibit a mediocre life. Your ways of doing things will not be such a great example and the ways you show others how to do things may not be taken with sincerity or be meaningful.

It is quite easy, when we fall into the mediocre way of life, to let the things we say to others become less and less meaningful. Before we know it, we have stopped giving encouragement to others. We have stopped going that “extra mile†to help others out. We just become melancholy. When we are not trying our best anymore, people see that and wonder.

I struggle with the “good enough†attitude at my job. I strugge with it during my family time. I even struggle with it doing church work. All areas of my life suffer when I have the "good enough" attitude. I find myself thinking “This is good enough" when I could be doing much better.

If we possess a “good enough†attitude, then what is coming out of our mouths all day long while we work or when we go to church or when we are with our families? Probably not the most encouraging and uplifting words. If we are allowing words to come out that are not lifting others up and giving them positive thoughts to think about, we need to reconsider our attitude.

Our relationships with others will be strengthened when we have more than a good enough attitude. People are listening to us when we talk. Are they hearing positive things or negative things? To be an effective witness in our relationships, we need to be positive and be a Godly role model.

 

[Danus]

There might be a fine line between telling ourselves we are good enough and telling ourselves we are not good enough. Which one should one focus on the most you think?

 

[hldude]

Could you please clarify your question a little more?

 

[farouk]

In the end, Ephesians, a quote from which started the thread, is mainly about the believer's relationship with God, through faith in Christ.

The believer's standing with other Christians flows from his or her prior standing with God.

 

[Danus]

Could you please clarify your question a little more?

Sure.

I get the gist of your point about stepping up ones game to be better in areas, and perhaps guard against complacency, but I'm also asking how that works into the idea of inadequacy.

I hear from Christians often, more than not, about feelings of inadequacy; of feeling not good enough. Maybe even worthless.

If we are speaking from a Christian perspective on the Christian life, what would you say about the difference between telling ourselves we are good enough and telling ourselves we are "not good enough".

When I say there is a fine line, I often hear Christians saying they are not good enough, which is in a way what I took from your thoughts about what other Christians should be wary of, only I'm suggesting many already are. What would be the measure of one being better than good enough? What's a test to know this? What exactly is the standard for "enough" when it comes to being "good".

If the word enough means "As much or as many as required." why then is good enough not good enough as you have suggested it might not be some in living the Christian life?

One more question: Would God say this to us? You are not good enough to be my follower.

 

[hldude]

Not to be mean in any way by saying this, but I think you might be putting way too much though into this devotional. Honestly, I really do not understand what you are trying to ask me. It's just confusing how you are explaining things. Maybe we need to just leave this as is. Not putting you off, but I'm just not understanding where you're coming from. I'm sorry.

 

[Danus]

Your relationships with others can and will be greatly affected when you exhibit a mediocre life. .................

It is quite easy, when we fall into the mediocre way of life, to let the things we say to others become less and less meaningful..............

I struggle with the “good enough†attitude at my job. I strugge with it during my family time. I even struggle with it doing church work. All areas of my life suffer when I have the "good enough" attitude. I find myself thinking “This is good enough" when I could be doing much better............

Not to be mean in any way by saying this, but I think you might be putting way too much though into this devotional. Honestly, I really do not understand what you are trying to ask me. It's just confusing how you are explaining things. Maybe we need to just leave this as is. Not putting you off, but I'm just not understanding where you're coming from. I'm sorry.

Your not being mean. I'm trying to get the most from the devotional and understand it better.

You mentioned the Epistle to the Ephesians, and the main theme of Ephesians is “the Church, the Body of Christ.â€

Then you speak of the mediocre life and a "good enough attitude", and how good enough is not good enough.

I asked for clarification with several questions that came to mind while I was reading the devotional. Can you explain them, or expand your thoughts on them?

often times when I read a devotional, I expect it to speak to my heart. This one left me flat, and I'm not seeing the point. How does one measure "mediocre"? It seems to be saying "hey do better in your relationships".

If I'm going to take the time to read someones thoughts, I may have questions or challenges to those thoughts. That's only fair. Anyone who speaks or writes something, is responsible for it's content don't you agree? and should be able to explain it, make it more clear to the reader, or hearer if that is requested.

If the devotional is from your pen, I would think you might welcome discussion. Although I realize some people just don't get it, and at some point it's best to just part from the matter, or if you feel my questions are unreasonable I can accept that also.

Let me know if there is more to the devotional that might assist with my understanding it a little better.

Thanks for your time.

 

[hldude]

I completely agree about having questions and comments. I am in no way avoiding having any questions come my way at all. You have every right to bring questions and to ask for understanding. I hope I never come across in a way that does not welcome comments or questions. I always welcome feedback.

As far as the mediocre, I guess to try to explain more is that when we are not doing our best in our daily lives and are letting ourselves just do "good enough" with our efforts, in whatever situations that may be, with work or in our relationships, then words that come out aren't as effective and they can negatively affect our relationships.

When we let unwholesome talk come out, that can be a result of having a "good enough" attitude and a medicore attitude. It's hard to measure being mediocre. I know for me, when my attitude wanes and I tend to not care much about things, that's when I feel mediocre and like I just don't care and just want to do "good enough" to get the job done and do the least amount I have to do to get by with whatever I need to do. Does that make sense?

 

[Danus]

Sure I understand.

I think for me, I draw a distinction between me and Christ. In a since I never really think I'm letting Christ down, and I need to make more of an effort; rather I often feel I need to make less of an effort, so that Christ can make more of an effort through me.

I often feel I can get in the way of Christ and what he's doing through me. For example, temptation.

The devil never tempts Christ, rather he tempts me. That's where he can be the most effective. So if I am living between Christ and the devil I'm exposed to the devils temptations, but if I live with Christ in the lead, in front of me, between me and the devil, I know I am allowing God to do His work in me.

Anyway , that's what helps me. Just a different way of looking at the same thing perhaps, but the effort is less on my part, more on God's. I guess in a way I feel my effort is in the way of His when I'm the one working. rather I like to think I am able to allow the Holly Spirit free access on my behalf, if I feel that I am inadequate, because I know He is not. So I am one of those Christians who does not rely on my own efforts, but solely on Gods efforts alone through me. I do this through prayer and calling out, meditation with God and his word daily.