My life is almost completely consumed with what a friend and member of our congregation calls “PastorLand.“ PastorLand can be all consuming and require more than anybody can possibly give.

The statement about the all consuming nature of “PastorLand” also is a fairly good description of life. Life is filled with hurt and pain and demands that are more then we can give.

So what can we do to help ourselves make it through the difficulties of life?

Here are four attitudes that have helped me greatly. I believe you will find them helpful as you go through the ups and downs of life as well.

First, we all need a spirit of optimism. An optimistic attitude leads us to believe that if we trust God for guidance and give our best to Him, we will make it. Optimism will help you make it.

If you are asking where and how you can get optimism, I encourage you to wait to the end of this post.

Second, we all need a spirit of realism. Life is difficult, and we should expect it to be difficult. The Bible is very realistic. It begins with the first humans rebelling against God. We are all children of the first Adam. We are the ones who have created such problems in life.

I believe we must instill this understanding of the way the world works to our children. At the same time, we must give them a trust that God is with us in the midst of our troubles. We need to teach them that God is even now working all things together for good to those who love him.

Third, we must have perseverance. Perseverance is “courageous endurance.” Though life is hard, we can face it with trust in God and with the courageous endurance He instills within us.

Fourth, we must have an attitude of trust. When we first trust God, look at life realistically, and plan to see life through to the end, then we can have a spirit of optimism.

These four attitudes will help carry us through life until we are in the very presence of God.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57).