Let's face it we all experience tough times. These times take many different forms and leave their mark on our lives.

When times are tough—especially when in the midst of a trial—it's easy to narrow our perspective to reflect tunnel vision. When our world is falling apart and turning upside down, how could we do anything else but focus on what's wrong?

Except that it is possible to extend our perspective. One of Chuck Swindoll's most popular quotes is about our attitudes: “Life really boils down to 10 per cent of what happens to us and 90 per cent of how we respond to it.” This quote is featured in the LifeTrac broadcast, Choosing Your Attitudes.

In tough times there are those who choose a different reaction. One we call seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses. On the extreme side of this idiom people are seen as delusional, and accused of hiding from reality. But on the other side of the spectrum they're called optimists.

Which category do you fall into? When life goes crazy do you fight to see the positive side of your situation? Do you take responsibility for your attitude or do you blame a bad attitude on your circumstances? How do we choose to be positive in the midst of crisis, but protect ourselves from becoming delusional?

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done,” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). This seems like impossible advice from the Apostle Paul—don't worry about anything? Is that possible? But…what do you have to lose?

What if you were to get into the habit of turning your worries into prayers? Especially if the result is anything like Paul says it is: “Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus,” (verse 7).

Choosing to take responsibility for your attitude, regardless of your situation, gives God an opportunity to touch your life and give you His peace. This doesn't mean you're ignoring your problems; you're just giving them to God to take care of. In essence you're holding on to a wider perspective—that life is about more than what's happening right now, that time never stands still, and that God is still in control.

Your attitude doesn't come from what happens to you it comes from within. The next time your life turns upside down try to remember this. It will change your life.