Doing what God wants is very important. But God doesn’t want little robots. He also wants our actions to be accompanied by a good attitude.

From an early age, we begin to follow orders without putting our hearts into them. Our mother asked us to tidy our room, and we did it. But in a hurry, not paying attention to what we were doing and grumbling as we went along. Then we threw the mop and said, “Here! It’s done! Are you happy now?” Our mother was possibly satisfied with the result, but she was not particularly happy. If the same task had been done in a spirit of collaboration, partnership, or thankfulness, our mother would not only have been satisfied, but she would have felt supported, and pampered. The problem is not the chore, but the attitude. And that’s still often a problem we have later in life.

During the first months of a new job, we work with passion and thankfulness. Our results are accompanied by a good mood. But after years at the same job, our attitude has completely changed. We continue to accomplish our task, but with a wary attitude and complaining about our conditions. Our pay may be the same whether our work is done in joy or in discontent, but we will not derive the same emotional, psychological benefits. This is why God asks us to be intentional in our actions. “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24 NKJV). Even in the smallest details of our lives, the Bible encourages us to always keep a good attitude. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV).

That is also true in our service to God. We can start serving God, going to church, and even reading our Bible daily as a task, without putting our hearts into it. Our conscience is satisfied to have made this sacrifice, but our spirit derives no benefit from it. “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalms 51:16-17 NKJV). Our attitude in all our work for God is just as important as the work itself. It will also decide whether or not we will continue our service.

For singles, attitude is also an asset. Many counselors suggest participating in various social activities to increase the possibilities of meeting a future partner. But if we participate in these activities with a defeatist or desperate attitude to find a partner; or if we participate in those with a haughty attitude where we believe that no one is worthy enough of us, our good deed will not yield results. Not only do we risk not making new acquaintances, but our emotional state will be disastrous. It is not enough to take steps in the right direction, we must also monitor the attitude with which we move forward.