When it comes to life’s circumstances and what goes on each day, how do you respond with gratitude, grit, or grouch? And is your response determined by your circumstance or by your character?

I have come up with a quiz to assess your response. Let’s start with question 1: You are in the 10 item, cash only line at Vons with your 2 cans of green beans and 1 can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup with a fresh $20 bill from your ATM machine in your hand. The person in front of you has 15 items and a checkbook in their back pocket. How do you respond?

A. Gratitude for the Green Bean Bake your family will enjoy.

B. Grit your teeth and wonder if the guy ahead of you failed math or reading.

C. Yell at the cashier, “Checkout Line Violation -- 15 items! 15 items!”

Question 2: You receive a letter from the IRS, stating you will soon be receiving a $1,000 refund on your tax return, how do you respond?

A. Gratitude to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

B. Grit your teeth about the other $10,000 you paid in taxes last year.

C. Rip the letter to shreds while demanding more.

Question 3: You receive a letter from the IRS, stating you will be audited. How do you respond?

A. Gratitude to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

B. Clench the phone and call your accountant.

C. Write the Union Tribune an angry letter about tax oppression in the USA.

Question 4: You are driving your daughter to school, and as you drop her off, the car in front of you decides to just park there, trapping you in the school parking lot. How do you respond?

A. You look out the window and give thanks for this time to stop and smell the roses and car fumes.

B. Grab the steering wheel tighter as steam comes out of your ears.

C. Honk your horn continuously until you sound out “move your car” in Morse code.

Question 5: You are watching your football team play on Sunday, and they win by a touchdown in a close game. How do you respond?

A. Stand up and start singing “San Diego Super Chargers”!

B. Wring your hands over the game next week.

C. Call a sports radio station and

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