Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Karen Scalf Linamen's new book, Due to Rising Energy Costs, the Light at the End of the Tunnel Has Been Turned Off, (Revell, 2008).

An expensive and unexpected bill.  An argument with your spouse.  A scary diagnosis from your doctor.  A lost career opportunity.  Difficult circumstances can hit you from any direction, but they don’t have to knock you down.

The negative emotions you experience whenever something bad happens are real and painful. But your emotions don’t have to determine the quality of your life.

Here’s how you can experience a great life even in the midst of difficult circumstances:

Free your emotions from the tyranny of your circumstances. Instead of attaching your emotions to what happens to you – so that they rise and fall along with your changing circumstances – attach them to something much more stable: your faith in God. Remember that God never changes; you can always count on Him. Know that the peace, joy, and hope God offers transcend whatever circumstances you may experience at any given time.  

Strengthen your inner core. Don’t let your emotions be controlled by external circumstances. Instead, work to develop the inner strength you need to control your own emotional responses to circumstances. When your strengthen your inner core, you’ll still experience the full range of emotions, but they won’t determine your emotional well-being.  

Manage your memories well. What you believe about an experience can affect your emotions much more than the experience itself. So if you change the beliefs you attach to the past events in your life, you can feel more positive emotions when remembering them. If someone has offended you, try not to take it personally. Whenever possible, assume the best instead of the worst. Don’t generalize or internalize what happened, and choose not to view it as a catastrophe. Ask yourself what good you can glean from something negative that happened. Consider what you can learn from it and how it can help you grow. Make the choice to dwell on positive memories rather than negative ones, and to move past the pain you experienced. Instead of nursing wounds, intentionally forget snags in otherwise healthy relationships and move on.  

Tap into the power of endorphins and adrenaline. These natural chemicals that your body releases when you exercise can help you feel more alert, energetic, and happy. So incorporate regular exercise into your life. Take walks, join a gym, sign up for a dance class – be creative about ways you can exercise as often as possible, to boost your moods while getting in shape.

Change the way you talk to yourself. What you tell yourself when you’re discouraged is critical. Do your inner thoughts inspire you toward peace, joy, and hope, or do they make you feel bad? Whenever you catch yourself thinking something negative, give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself of all you have to be grateful for, and make time to regularly thank God for His work in your life. Look beyond your own troubles to other people’s lives, and intercede for them in prayer. Ask God to give you His perspective on your circumstances. Choose to focus and dwell on positive thoughts, while moving quickly past negative thoughts.