Success and happiness come from a positive attitude. Negative feelings rob us of joy and produce failure. We should not let troubles discourage us. This article may be published if the resource box is left intact.

We are going to live with ourselves for the rest of our lives, and we should make it as pleasant as possible by having a positive outlook. Everyone has to face difficult problems; they are a part of life. Do not yield to the sinking feelings that come your way from time to time. We are admonished not to worry. The Lord has promised to work things for good (RO 8:28).

Paul admonishes us not to become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (GAL 6:9-10).

If we have been faithful, we should have a confidence and hope that far outweigh any physical problems we have. We must rise above our discouraged feelings.

Harsh words from others and momentary setbacks are hard to take, but we must look at the whole picture. We have a glorious future in a land where we will never grow old.

We must always look at the bright side. A happy heart makes the face cheerful (PR 15:13). Verse 15 says that a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Verse 30 adds: A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. We should not let physical problems cause us to feel sorry for ourselves, but feast on our joyful heart.

Our attitude determines our altitude. We can soar with God or we can drag our self around with self-pity. Of course we have difficult problems, but that doesnt mean they should take away our joy. Success is not based on a life without any problems, but on how we deal with them. Those that trust God will not be crushed by their obstacles. He gives us the confidence to face them one at a time without fearing failure. Difficult problems are the gateways to success. We just have to learn to solve them.

We all have things that we must do. It would be much more pleasant to be optimistic about doing them, than to have a negative point of view. In their book You cant afford the luxury of a negative thought John Rogers and Peter McWilliams describe how dangerous it is for the terminally ill to have negative thoughts. Even if not terminal, always being negative drags you down and make it difficult to do anything well. This can seriously affect your mental and physical health. We had better learn this lesson before we are terminal.

The Lord does not want us to mope around feeling sorry for ourselves. According to Genesis 1:27, he made us in his image. The Almighty in heaven claims those who obey him as his own. We represent him on earth. Thinking our self small or insignificant will cast a negative reflection on our maker. We should radiate the love of God to show how great it is to be a Christian. As Moses face glowed after he had been with God on the mountain, we should reflect the illumination of Jesus, the light of the world.

We are to think about things above, see beyond our problems, and soar with God (COL 3:1-2). Examining the Lords promises blows your mind! The righteous will be blessed eternally. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry (PS 34:15). The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon (PS 92:12). The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous (PS 146:8).

Why would anyone have a negative attitude after receiving this wonderful news? We should grin from ear to ear and praise God from year to year! We should be the happiest people on the face of the earth.