Every morning when we wake up and get out of bed, we have a choice as to how we approach the day. We can either be sour and grumpy, or grateful and thankful. Our attitude greatly influences our lives, and it’s easy to have a negative attitude when we constantly mull over the bad things that could happen. We can deliberately choose to maintain a positive attitude, which has an uncanny ability to help us find peace in our everyday lives.

A life of peace is entirely attainable, even in today’s stressful, strife-filled world. We can’t find peace, however, through our own self-efforts; we need God’s help with this. Being surrounded by negativity makes it easy to take the path of least resistance and fall in with the crowds of complainers. When we really want to change for the better, we can confidently rely on God in this area. “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me” (Psalm 54:4, NIV ).

We can always find reasons to be negative, but this kind of mindset doesn’t benefit us or improve anything. We may hear others complaining because of their own negative attitudes, but we don’t have to let them influence us. Part of having a godly attitude is deciding to be cheerful when no one else is. “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning  and doubting [among yourselves]” (Philippians 2:14, AMPC ).

What’s going on in our hearts determines our mindset, which in turn affects our attitude and impacts our quality of life. Nursing grudges and feeling resentment toward others can result in anger, frustration, and emotional pain. Refusing to take negative things personally and choosing to see the good in others instead of the bad has the opposite effect. “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it  spring  the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you” (Proverbs 4:23, 24, NKJV ). We actually have the power to either make ourselves miserable or to feel the peace of mind God wants for us.

There’s plenty of junk in the world that can drag us down into despair if we think about it too much. Fortunately, we don’t have to dwell on it when we feel overwhelmed and unable to handle it. There’s plenty of good on which we can contemplate, and we can decide for ourselves what thoughts we want to embrace. “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). Our minds are powerful tools, and what we think about can either cause us fear and distress, or peace and tranquility.

God loves us and wants the best for us. When we believe this and trust Him to help us maintain a good attitude, He’s always faithful to do so. Getting distracted by what’s around us can be counterproductive, but focusing on God puts us in a position to receive peace from Him. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). This is the kind of life He offers us.