Lisa Barry: One of the questions that Elisabeth Elliot gets asked quite often is, "How can I know God's will?" I think we have all wondered that at one time or another. We're curious creatures and that's okay. But we are also worriers who seek guarantees--and to want them right now. That's not so good. But as we'll find out today, the first step in finding God's direction isn't a revelation from Him, but an attitude change in us.

Find out more as we begin this brand-new series called "Seeking God's Direction," next on Gateway To Joy.

Elisabeth Elliot: "You are loved with an everlasting love." That's what the Bible says, "and underneath are the everlasting arms." This is your friend Elisabeth Elliot talking with you today about choosing your attitude.

St. Teresa said, "Let nothing trouble you, let nothing frighten you, all things pass way, God never changes." I think of the words of Jesus Himself. He said, "Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me" (John 14:1). We are supposed to love our neighbors and pray for our enemies. All of this, of course, comes under the heading of "Choosing Your Attitude."

Probably I'm talking to some people who have rather difficult neighbors--people you would hardly even want to call enemies, yet you know that things are not the way you would like them to be. Be content with the things the Lord has given you. The Bible says be thankful for everything, be anxious for nothing (Phil. 4:6).

Many of you know the story of Fanny Crosby who wrote several thousand hymns. And she was blinded when she was only six weeks old because of a mistake of a doctor. When she was just a little girl eight or nine years old, she wrote:

Can you choose your attitude as this little girl did? Of course, I don't know what your problem may be, what attitude you may be facing and realizing that it's not quite right. You can choose you attitude.

Now just let me give you three points. You might be able to remember them better this way. Number one is "The Cost," number two is "A Few Specifics," and number three "Let This Mind Be in You."

Now it's going to cost something for you to choose your attitude when you don't feel like choosing your attitude or you don't like the attitude of someone else that perhaps you have to work with. I may be talking to people who live in a workplace and you find it very difficult to work with the people that you are supposed to be nice to. So there's going to be a cost, of course.

The Lord Jesus was willing to be a totally helpless baby when He came into this world. As He grew, He grew like a boy and then a man. He had to be tired. Just think of it--the Lord of the Universe, He needed to sleep. He had to get away from the multitudes in order to pray with His Father. He said, "I am among you as One who serves" (Luke 22:27). That cost Him something, didn't it.

In Philippians 2:5-8 it says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing," 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!" That was the cost to the Lord Jesus in choosing His attitude.

Ephesians 4:23 tells us that we should be made new in the attitude of our minds. I think it would be a good idea for all of us when we wake up in the morning if we would ask the Lord to make us new in the attitude of our mind for this day, whatever may be facing you. I happen to be facing some difficulties. "Lord, what am I supposed to do--fall apart, be angry at God?" The Lord is speaking to me as I speak to you; He wants me to be made new in the attitude of my mind.

Number two under "Choose Your Attitude" is "Specifics." I am quite sure that there are some mothers listening to me. Mothering is a tough job, isn't it? It means day by day putting yourself at the disposal of other people; very likely, very small people who can be an awful nuisance and make a lot of noise and a lot of messes. I don't know what the specifics may be of your particular challenge today, but God knows.

Day by day the Lord Jesus Himself was followed by multitudes of people. I can imagine them plucking at His sleeve, calling out to Him, yelling at Him at times, trying to catch up with Him--all the demands that human beings could make on the Lord of the Universe. What was His attitude? He chose an attitude of total abandonment to His Heavenly Father's demands.

You wives who are listening to me, how do you like being subordinate to your husband? "Well, Elisabeth, if you knew my husband, you'd know that I have a tough job." Well, of course, I don't know your husband. But I do know my husband and the Lord has given me not just one husband but three different husbands at different times. I have to choose my attitude with my present husband.

You singles--I get so many letters from single women asking me, "When is the Lord going to give me a husband?" Well, what can I say to that? Choose your attitude. This particular day you are single. As far as you know, God does not have a husband for you. He may give you a gift some time, the gift that you think you are longing for and would be the most wonderful thing in the world, but today is all you have.

When you hurt, can you bring yourself to rejoice? One of the old saints that I read said, "Accustom yourself to injustice and unreasonableness." Those are good words to remember--accustom yourself to injustice and unreasonableness.

Maybe you live with someone who is moody. That can be very difficult--people who just go off into a corner, they are silent, they don't want to talk, they look angry. Are you able to respond to that person with a calm, loving, unselfish silence? The Lord Jesus doesn't intrude upon us. He doesn't pry. He wants us to knock at the door of His heart. When we do that He's there for us. He wants to help you. Can you choose your attitude?

My dear friend Nae Bailey was traveling one time in Europe and she discovered when she got on the train that she was missing all the things that had been in her shoulder bag. Someone had robbed her as she was getting onto the train and she had her passport, her money, her tickets and I don't know what all stolen. You know what Nae did? She just sat there in the train on the seat, the train had started off, and she just said, "Well, Lord what are you going to do about this?"

Of course, there was nothing that she could do. I haven't got time to tell the whole story, but the Lord gave her peace and she just sat there trusting God that somehow or another He was going to enable her to retrieve those things--and it happened. We never know in what way we may have to choose our attitude. But today there may be a challenge.

Number three--"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). Philippians 2:12-15 says, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure."

Now, may I see the hands of those of you who would be able to say, "I can do everything without complaining or arguing." Of course, I can't see your hands and I don't know you. But you are listening to a woman who is a born arguer, so I have to read this verse in Philippians 2:14, "Do everything without complaining or arguing."

We are to be "children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Verse 17 says, "even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

I hope that some of my listeners will be glad and rejoice with me today. Whatever your particular situation may be--and you have heard me say many times--"do the next thing." You know what the next thing may be, some little thing, some distasteful thing, some daunting thing that you really don't want to face. Lift your heart to the Lord, choose an attitude of trust and trust that God is going to enable you to do the next thing.

Will you choose that kind of an attitude today? God bless you.

Lisa Barry: Isn't that a practical way to start a pursuit of God's direction? That's what I have come to love about this program--I never have to find a deeper application than what's being presented, I never walk away feeling like there's nothing to apply. Quite the contrary. There's always more than enough application to go around. I'm sure you feel the same way too. This is one of the places that you can count on to give the straight story, not sugarcoated pleasantries.

Someone else who is committed to speaking the truth in love is Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She's the woman whose voice you will be hearing on a regular basis this fall. Gateway To Joy with Elisabeth Elliot will be ending in August and Revive our Hearts will be starting September 3rd. It's our prayer that you will embrace this new ministry just as you have done with Gateway To Joy over the years. Elisabeth knows how loyal you are to her, and no program will ever take the place of Gateway To Joy. But there is always room for more encouragement and more challenge in this world. Nancy Leigh DeMoss is another one of those friends coming alongside to help and you are going to love her.

Now, as we close, if this has been a place where you find strength and encouragement, then it's our prayer that you'll partner with us in continuing to send out this message. We can't do it alone. We need those of you who believe in this ministry and want to see it continue whether it's through the teaching of Elisabeth Elliot or Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Your prayer support makes that happen. We'd love to hear from you. Here's our phone number; toll free 1-800-759-4JOY. That's 1-800-759-4569. Our mailing address is:

Gateway To Joy, Box 82500, Lincoln, NE 68501. That's Gateway To Joy, Box 82500, Lincoln, NE 68501. Or you can find us on the Internet at gatewaytojoy.org. Gateway To Joy is a listener-supported production of Back to the Bible.

This is Lisa Barry. Thanks for joining us today and be sure to tune in tomorrow when we welcome special guest Bob Lepine for a discussion on worry. That's next time on Gateway To Joy.