An attitude like Ruth

Last night I was attempting to mow my back yard. It's almost knee high, and I discovered my blade on my mower is completely dull. Just another thing to add to the list of things going wrong lately that are stressing me out. As I was struggling to mow, I started realizing the attitude I was getting, even though it was quietly inside of me. I was frustrated, stressed, and maybe even developing feelings of anger and bitterness. Then, I started praying for God to help me with my attitude, and He said to me, "what about Ruth? What kind of an attitude did she have when she was out gleaning in the fields? She didn't complain, she didn't look to anyone for anything. She just worked quietly in the fields, from sun up to sun down. She was known and admired for her hard work, devotion, and good attitude. And that is what brought her blessings." I have thought for sometime that I probably didn't always have the right attitude in response to my situations. I try not to complain and tell everyone about my problems. I try not to be angry or bitter or blame anyone, even if there are people to blame. Blame never does any good, it doesn't fix anything. And since I went to the ER last week, and it was brought to my attention that I'm under too much stress, I've wondered, and prayed, about what to do. I continuously work and pray to fix things, but nothing is changing. Nothing seems to be improving, anyways. So, how do I deal with? How can I respond differently so I don't end up back in ER? Because, obviously, I'm not doing a good job of handling it all now, emotionally speaking. Well, I got my answer last night, to be like Ruth. And that is what I'm going to do. The Bible also says to do all things without complaining or arguing. Apparently, that is what Ruth did. Lived her difficult life without complaining. And that is the example I should follow. Be meek, and humble, quiet, and praising God, even in the hard times, not complaining.

On a side note, I love how I heard the Lord just gently whisper this to me, in such a loving tone. Not angry or scolding, not making me feel like I don't measure up to Ruth, but more in a way that I should look up to her. Answering my prayers about how to handle these feelings and situations, and showing me which direction to take.