It’s really easy to keep a positive attitude for life when you are surrounded with gracious people and un-challenging circumstances. However, that’s far from the reality of the world we live in and the people we encounter on a daily basis. Which is why the Bible teaches us to guard the gates of our eyes and ears. Sometimes sensory input might be forced upon us. Things like an unhappy customer yelling at us, or unfair treatment from a superior. Sudden tragedy or disappointments can certainly eat away at our resolve too. The beauty is that we have the privilege to choose how to respond to every challenging situation. We get to decide the route of our thoughts. When we align our thinking with God’s, we are guaranteed to experience the flow of His supernatural peace. In fact, a sure path to His unfathomable peace is to hear and obey what His response is to each challenge – before acting on our natural instincts. Hebrews 12:15 warns us to constantly be on the lookout for things that could cause us to fall back from operating in God’s grace – resulting in resentment and bitterness of soul, that will not only hinder the flow of God’s life and peace in our lives but will give access and power to an opposite flow that harms us and defiles those around us. The key is to habitually keep the Word of God alive in our hearts, and to be in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit. As we remain full of the Word, and full of the life of the Spirit, we will know how to answer each challenge as we are faced with it. Sometimes, when we are taken by surprise, the very best response is to not respond at all. Then to turn our attention to the Lord. As we call on His Name and pray in the spirit, He will be faithful to let the answer rise up from our inner-man, where His Spirit dwells, and enter our thoughts. We will know when it’s God’s thought by the overwhelming peace and joy that accompanies that thought, and it will never contradict His nature or His word. Then, as we align our thoughts, words and actions with His answer – we can fully expect the outcome to be victorious – giving God the glory! Expect the Lord to always show you His perspective, and as you align your thoughts with His truth, overcoming peace will be your portion.