Don’t let others affect you negatively. Don’t let others, or little things, set the mood for your day.

It’s easier said than done, but it can be accomplished by focusing on Jesus and a direct relationship with Him more than focusing on fellow humans or situations.

For instance, someone goes roaring by you, in a car, with anger you can feel, or even gives a loud honk; smile. Pray for the well-being of the person: not just a quick insincere prayer, but with the heart. The person may be in debt, perhaps hit with a huge car repair bill. Or he or she may be in a difficult marital spot. Perhaps there is the worry in his or her home of serious illness. Who knows what is going through the heads of those we brush by in life?

But here’s the point: If they honk a horn, why let that affect you? Why let it or anything like this give you a “bad day”? Is God in control — are you — or are random strangers (for that matter anyone)? Set out to have a good day no matter the challenges and tests and have a good day appreciating Christ in everything.

Demonstrate your trust by sitting quietly in His Presence. Set aside anything waiting to be done until you communicate with Him. Refuse to worry. Only pray. This sacred time strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever or whoever the day will bring.

A test of faith this is and a good resolution: waiting before working, going to Him before forging ahead.

When we do that, notes a Christian writer, Sarah Young, the world of spirits notices; trust weakens principalities and powers.

The most fruitful means of resisting evil is to draw close to Christ. Make it direct and up close. Make it personal. He is not in some distant place but closer than your own shadow.

He will guide you through the Bible. Read it and let it talk to you.

The world? It is overpowering. Overstimulating. It “hypes” us up. We need pills for blood pressure.

Instead of prayer, we fret or complain.

Not complaining — and not reacting to the negative others do — is a sacrifice that reaches Heaven and another step in purifying your soul.

In the noise of the world, we can lose all sense of direction. Not so with Jesus. Not so with Bible open. Doing countless unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy. When you spend time with Jesus, He restores your sense of direction. “As you look for Me for guidance,” says a word of knowledge, “I enable you to do less but accomplish more.”

[resources: What You Take To Heaven]