By Joseph A. Perry

We must keep a positive attitude during these difficult times in life. I know we all have a lot going on, and sometimes when what we have going on, it brings about pressure and stress, and that in turn can oftentimes bring about a bad or negative attitude in us and affect how we respond to people.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to inform them that even though they had trouble on every side, although pressures and pain resided in many of their lives, they still needed to keep a positive attitude. Someone once said, “Your attitude will determine your altitude.” Your attitude can change the atmosphere.

Maintaining a positive attitude means you have to:

4Choose to stay positive. I know there’s a lot going on, but you have to choose to be positive. You can’t let the person or the issues get you upset. If you allow that to happen, then that person or the issue has control over you. You have to choose for yourself to stay positive. Choose to be upbeat, choose to be enthusiastic, and choose to keep your joy. That’s so important.

4Block out the negativity. Oftentimes, only way you can block out the negativity is you will have to remove yourself from the negatives. Sometimes that’s hard to do, especially when the negatives are the closet to you. The negatives for some may play a major role around you, and you just don’t want to release them. Paul told the church to separate yourselves from among them and be ye separated. I know it hurts, but you need to block the negativity now.

4Live in the present, with an eye on the future. You see, you can’t just think that where you are or what you’re in will be like this always. No, God has promised us a brighter day. He promised He would wipe all tears away; it won’t be this way always. You have to forget those things that are behind and press, sometimes you have to pull. But hold on, and don’t turn sour, trust God to work it out. He said your latter days will be better than your former days. Live in the present, but keep your eye on the future.

Stay positive during these difficult times, and God will help you; He will uphold you. I know He will, and if He’s done it before, guess what, He’ll do it again. And that’s a thought to remember.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Perry is pastor of St. Mark AME Zion Church in Suffolk. Contact him at josephp134@gmail.com.