A Key to Keeping a Positive Attitude During Trials
Have you noticed how people respond differently to life? Some people maintain their faith and their smile in the midst of trials, while others crumble and mumble when they hit a small bump in the road. We’re encouraged by positive people, but it is draining to be around those who view life negatively and murmur and complain.
Likewise, those who respond with faith and a positive attitude experience more joy in life and in their relationships with others. Much of life is beyond our control. We can’t avoid struggles, but we can choose our response to them.
There is a secret for keeping a positive attitude in the midst of trials—a secret that leads to a sincere faith and positive attitude, not a pasted on smile that wears thin through the day.
The key is your eyes.
Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light” (Mt. 6:22). When your body is full of light, you view life with hope and expectancy. You are a joy to be around. Others are energized when they’re with you.
In contrast, Jesus says, “If your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (v. 23). Darkness overwhelms you, making it difficult to keep plodding. Everything about life seems negative and it’s a struggle to maintain hope.
That sounds simple. A clear eye—one full of light—brings a positive attitude. An eye full of darkness brings discouragement, hopelessness, and despair. But how do you make your eyes clear?
We take in our surroundings through our eyes, and we focus on what interests us. We are somewhat aware of the periphery, but the direction that our eyes point reveals our focus.
The eyes funnel the view into our mind. If we look at light, light is funneled through our eyes and our whole body is full of light. If we look at darkness, our body will fill with darkness.
It is our choice what we look at, and that choice has a direct effect on our disposition, because the eyes are one of our primary connections with the world around us.
Imagine yourself in a difficult situation. Where do your eyes go?
Do they look on how hard life is? Does your mind continue to relive the pain? Dwell on the what ifs? Persist in worrying about tomorrow? Do you feel hopeless and alone? If that’s what is going through your mind, you’re focused on darkness. Your soul will be overwhelmed by discouragement. Continue to focus on such and you will become hopeless and fill with despair.
Instead, focus your eyes on light, on the Lord and truths from His Word. “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 Jo. 1:5). Focus on the truth that Jesus is with you. He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). Furthermore, His grace is sufficient because His power will be made known in your weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
Our hope and expectancy are dashed if we continue to look at trying circumstances, but will be built up if we look at the truth of God’s Word.
For a time—the hardest years of my life, even though I knew the Lord and was trying hard to walk in righteousness—I walked in darkness. I kept analyzing myself and my circumstances trying to figure out what went wrong. I kept my eyes on the problem, trying to find a solution—and great was the darkness. Relationships crumbled around me, and I spiraled deeper and deeper into despair.
When I quit looking at the problem and began focusing on the Lord and on His truth, light came into my life.
We choose where we focus our eyes. If you are accustomed to looking at the problem, it takes effort to switch your focus, but the light will not come in as long as you look at darkness.
I’ve walked in the light and I’ve walked in darkness—and the light is most definitely better!
What do you do to help maintain a positive attitude while you are in the midst of a trial?
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