Have you ever seen someone who was always negative and constantly complaining? People like that always seem unhappy and frustrated, and don’t make much progress in life. Bad attitudes aren’t something we can see or touch, but they can be like a millstone around our necks holding us back from success. We have the power to turn things around; the first step begins with the way we think.

We’ve all seen instruction manuals that start out with the phrase, “for best results…” The directions explain how to do what is necessary to get the desired results. For believers, this instruction manual is the Bible. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17, NLT). Right-doing is only possible when we learn right-thinking, first.

We may have heard the advice, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Everyone has their ups and downs from day to day; the difference between success and failure is the response to trouble when it shows up. Our attitude is important; there’s a link between what we think about and our resulting attitudes. Letting God’s Word guide our mindset in this area positions us for success. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We’re guaranteed to encounter adversity in life. When someone slights us, we can either rehearse and internalize it or rise above it. It’s easy to become bitter and angry focusing on the negative, but believers have been given authority over their thought lives. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31, 32). The world is watching Christians to see how we respond; responding in a godly manner sets a powerful example.

God made us free moral agents with the power to make our own choices; therefore, we can choose to be positive. To be godly is to be different than the world; there’s no better way to be different than to choose to respond instead of react. We can rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16), not for the bad situation, but despite it. Letting God’s Word, instead of a “knee-jerk” reaction, guide our emotions keeps us in control.

We can always find something to be thankful for. All we need to do is think of the little things around us that others take for granted. Each day is a brand-new gift from God. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Counting our blessings powerfully impacts our frame of mind and brings us to the point where we can’t help but rejoice for what God has already done in our lives.

Maintaining a good attitude in the midst of trying circumstances is an act of free will. This brings success we have no logical explanation for. Being thankful and grateful, regardless of what’s happening, draws attention to the believer, for all the right reasons.