His Attitude

No one wants to be around a person with a bad attitude. Life is hard enough without listening to someone constantly complaining in your ear. I know a man who is in the habit of being angry and miserable that it is his first reaction to everything even good news. When great things happen, he finds something to be upset about. Unfortunately, this was modeled to him as a child, so it was probably a learned response. Perhaps no one ever showed him how to enjoy life. But allowing the past to control today is still a choice he makes. Because of that, not only will he never be happy, but neither will those around him. We don't want to be that kind of person, nor do we want to live with one.
      Without naming names, let me assure you that I am an expert when it comes to praying about it instead. It has paid off, but I'm still perfecting this mode of operation. Every time I prayed for a spirit of joy to arise in this person's heart, I saw visible changes and my reaction was better as well. An angry, dour, unforgiving, negative person can get that way for various reasons. He stays that way because of a stubborn will that refuses to receive God's love. The Bible says we have a choice as to what we will allow into our heart ( Psalm 101:4), and whether we will harden it to the love of God or not ( Proverbs 28:14). We choose our attitude. We choose to receive the love of the Lord. We permit an attitude of thankfulness to rise in us.
      If your husband allows himself to wallow in a consistently bad attitude, it will make a good marriage miserable, and a shaky marriage intolerable. A habit of responding negatively will adversely affect every aspect of his life. Of course you can't rule over your husband's will, but you can pray that his will lines up with God's. Pray that his heart becomes pure, because the Bible promises a person who has a pure heart will see God ( Matthew 5:8) and have a cheerful countenance ( Proverbs 15:13). ( Who doesn't wish her husband could see God and have a cheerful countenance?) Pray for his heart to be filled with praise, thanksgiving, love, and joy, because " a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things" ( Matthew 12:35). Even if there are no major changes immediately, he is certain to be softened by your prayers. And that, at least, can give you a better attitude while you wait for his to improve.

Prayer:

Lord, fill ( husband's name) with Your love and peace today. May there be a calmness, serenity, and a sense of well-being established in him because his life is God-controlled, rather than flesh-controlled. Enable him to walk in his house with a clean and perfect heart before You ( Psalm 101:2). Shine the light of Your Spirit upon him with Your love.
      I pray that he will be kind and patient, not selfish or easily provoked. Enable him to bear all things ( 1 Corinthians 13:7). Release him from anger, unrest, anxiety, concerns, inner turmoil, strife, and pressure. ( Proverbs 15:13), but enjoy the continual feast of a merry heart ( Proverbs 15:15). Give him a spirit of joy and keep him from growing into a grumpy old man. Help him to be anxious for nothing, but give thanks in all things so he can know the peace that passes all understanding. May he come to the point of saying, " I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" ( Philippians 4:11). I say to ( husband's name) this day " The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" ( Numbers 6:24-26).

Power Tools:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 4:6,7)

Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. ( Ezekiel 18:31)

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. ( Proverbs 25:28)

Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ( 1 Corinthians 13:2)

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. ( Psalm 100:4)