15 Ways To Develop A Positive Attitude

It’s time for us to develop a positive attitude.

It goes without saying that a positive attitude can get you further in life. When you’re positive, you can pull the light out of any dark situation and inspire others to want to do the same.

I know what it’s like to live with depression. The constant cycles of hopelessness and sadness combined with negative thinking and rumination.  It definitely sucks, but developing a positive attitude can help especially in times of great pain.

In this post, I’m going to share with you some ways to develop a positive attitude so that you can keep your face to the sunshine even in the shadows.

This post will be all about how to develop a positive attitude. 

Are you ready? Let’s geaux!  

What Is A Positive Attitude

If you ever want to see anything insanely good happen in your life (and be excited about it), you have to train your attitude to be more positive.

A positive attitude is an attitude that is trained to identify the good even in the worst of situations. It has a keen eye for the little hidden details that God has placed in every moment.

Someone with a positive attitude understands that God works everything for good for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 ESV).

5 Benefits Of A Positive Attitude 

There are benefits to having a positive attitude. Some of the benefits will be noticed immediately while others may take time.

Here are five benefits of a positive attitude: 

1. You’ll Be More Limber

Emotions impact the body more than you realize. If you’re outlook is from a negative perspective, you may be prone to more stress in your life. Stress causes the body to lock up and go into flight or fight mode.

The opposite occurs when you begin to train your attitude to be more positive. You’ll start to notice yourself feeling lighter and more prepared to deal with the many facets of life.

2. Less Susceptible To Depression

Depression is one of those things that festers in negativity. As long as you have that negative attitude, you’ll be feeding the monster you so desperately want to get rid of.

To fight off depression, you need God’s word and the power of positivity.

3. You’ll Be Able To Absorb God’s Word Easier

Do you know why children are able to take what you tell them at face value? It’s because of their innate ability to think positively.

Jesus says “Unless you become like a child again, you’ll never enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3 ESV). I believe He said this because in order to enter into a world that is pure, you have to be willing to start from scratch in what you know.

Positivity helps you to do this and it can help you to take God’s word at face value as a child would.

4. You’ll Be More Influential Without Trying

As humans, we all admire each other’s differences. Being positive in this dark world is so refreshingly different.

You just don’t know how much of an influence you’ll be once you train yourself in godly positivity. People will want to be around your light so that they can become comfortable enough to shine their own.

A little positivity can go a long way.

5. You’ll Be More Open

Have you ever noticed that when you’re upset you’re more closed off to others? Or is it just me? Negative emotions cause us to want to isolate rather than be social.

But when you’ve trained your attitude to be more positive, you actually want to be around others. You become more open, not only to people, but to opportunities.

15 Ways To Develop A Positive Attitude

It will take some time and practice to develop your attitude, but once it’s trained, it’s with you for life.

Here are fifteen ways that you can develop a positive attitude:

1. Establish A Relationship With God

John 15:5 ESV-I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

God created you and He loves you. I’m not sure what you’ve been through in your life thus far, but I do know that God has been with you every step of the way.

Don’t allow the things of this world to keep you from the most valuable thing you can attain on this side of Heaven. It’s the perfect day to establish a relationship with the person who longs to be with you forever.

Tip To Establish Relationship With God: Know that He loves you and wants you despite what you’ve been through.

2. Believe You Can Change Your Attitude

Mark 9:23 ESV-And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Believing in something is a superpower. It’s really hard to change a made up mind. In order to develop a positive attitude, you have to believe that you can do it.

No one else can do this for you, but I think you already know that. You can change your attitude and if you need a little more convincing continue to affirm yourself aloud.

Tip To Believe You Can: Affirm yourself “I can change my attitude in Jesus name”.

3. Count Your Blessings

Psalm 103:2 NLT-Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

While there are many things you can complain about, I’m sure there’s even more that you can be thankful for. What are those things that you can thank God for right now?

You have been able to obtain many blessings between now and the beginning of your life. Try to name a few even the itsy bitsy ones (Trust me, all of them count!).

Tip To Count Your Blessings: Make it a game to name a few little things you’re grateful for everyday.

4. Learn To Trust God

Psalm 33:4 NIV-For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does

Trusting God comes with time. You don’t trust a stranger immediately after you get to know them a little.

Allow yourself to become reacquainted with your oldest Friend and you’ll find yourself trusting Him over time. And please don’t beat yourself up over not trusting Him immediately.

Remember you’re being reacquainted.

Tip To Learn To Trust God: Talk to Him consistently and be honest about the lack of trust and why you don’t trust Him.

{RELATED POST: 10 Reasons To Trust God}

5. Speak Life Over Yourself

It’s your responsibility to cover yourself in life (God’s word) so that you can live in faith. Remember faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17 NKJV).

We won’t always have another person to speak life over us so we have to learn to speak it over ourselves.

Tip To Speak Life Over Yourself: Find one scripture about your identity in Christ and speak it over yourself.

6. Clean Up Your Diet

Genesis 1:29 KJV-And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Did you know that your gut is actually your first brain? Ever heard of the sayings “Listen to your gut” or “I had a gut feeling”?

This is where those sayings come from. Studies show that when you eat a surplus of processed foods, you are more susceptible to depression and anxiety along with other mental and physical ailments.

See this article for reference.

Tip To Clean Up Your Diet: Try to incorporate more fruits and vegetables in your diet and cut out dairy slowly.

7. Practice Self-Compassion

Colossians 3:3 NIV-For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Self-Compassion is simply being a friend to yourself. A way to practice self-compassion is being there for yourself when you mess up in a way that isn’t critical.

It’s seeing yourself as God sees you while understanding that you’re a work in progress.

Tip To Practice Self-Compassion: Next time you mess up, tell yourself that it’s okay and you tried your best. Remind yourself that you can start again and you’re proud of how far you’ve come.

8. Figure Out What’s Hurting You

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Many times when we’re in a negative state, there’s something deeper going on. Is there something that you haven’t dealt with that is preventing you from being positive?

Are you feeling stuck or dealing with some discouragement in any way?

Tip To Figure Out What’s Hurting You: Take some time to sit alone in a quiet place, pray, and write down whatever comes to mind. You’d be surprised what’s inside when you take a moment to look.

 

9. Slow Down And Do Less

Jeremiah 2:25 MSG-“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it.  I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’

Doing less is always more. Who told you that you have to rush through life? What are you running from?

It’s okay to do less and it may be time that you slow down the pace of your life.

Tip To Slow Down: Be present in the moment your in. When you catch yourself multi-tasking and slipping into thought, ask yourself out loud ‘what you’re doing’ and answer yourself out loud.

10. Remember What God Has Done

Psalm 77:11-12 NIV-I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.

God has done amazing things in your life. If you can’t recall anything He has done, remind yourself of the little blessings that you get every single day.

Some might include:

• The ability to sleep
• Waking up in the morning
• The ability to speak and understand
• Movement of your body
• Healthy children
• And the list can go on and on and on.

You can also ask God to remind you of some of the things He has done in your life.

Tip To Remember What God Has Done: Open your Bible to see what His word says, go out and see the beauty in nature, and keep your own personal record in a journal for when you need to remember.

11. Change Your Mindset And Language

Romans 12:2 NIV-Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Sometimes to change, you have to break away from everything you know. Your mind will change as you start to use different language.

Tip To Change Your Mindset and Language: Say one positive thing first thing in the morning.

12. Cry If You Have To

Honestly, a good cry can reset things in your life. Some of us hold so much in and we wonder why we can’t develop a positive attitude.

Maybe you need to let some of the negativity out with a good cry. And let me say this, crying doesn’t mean that you’re weak. It means that you’re alive.

Only the living can feel.

Tip To Release: Put on some worship music and journal your feelings.

13. Remember You’re Not Alone

The journey of life can feel so lonely at times especially when working on something new. You have to remember that you’re never alone because God is always with you.

Plus there’s so many people around the world who are dealing with the same thing that you are.

Tip To Remember You’re Not Alone: Remind yourself of what God’s word says and look up how you’re feeling online. There’s many people who openly express how their feeling. No one’s alone in this.

14. Find Something You Like To Do

Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT-Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

What do you like to do? And don’t say work. You need a hobby that will bring you childlike joy.

Is it possible for you to try something new this week?

Tip To Find A Hobby: Before you spend money, check locally for any events happening in a city near you. There’s so many free things to do when you look. Even libraries host events for the community.

15. Celebrate An Accomplishment

Psalm 150:6 NIV-Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 

When you accomplish something, it’s like everything in your body starts clapping. You feel so good about yourself and you just want to accomplish more.

What if you could be like that with the little things? Or even the mundane things like brushing your teeth? Some of us who are struggling with depression need this extra boost and it doesn’t hurt to try it even if you aren’t.

Tip To Celebrate An Accomplishment: Be proud of every little thing you do. Turn into your own biggest fan.

Thank you so much for reading this post. I pray that you found it helpful and that it inspires you develop a positive attitude. Be sure to comment your favorite part of this post down below. I’d love to hear from you! 

This post was all about how to develop a positive attitude.

Always remember you’re destined to win because He got up!