Blog Hop - Encouragement 8/3/2009 - Begins 9pm Central

This week's blog hop is all about being an ENCOURAGEMENT to everyone who visits your blog.

Get your blog code here for the Encouragement Blog Hop....

My Encouragement For You

Life is hard, no doubt about that. Sometimes it's REALLY hard. If it hasn't been yet, don't worry, you won't get left out.

So to encourage you, I wrote a list of 22 reasons, keys, to living a joyful life even when times are tough.

The keys are directly related to Christian faith. Maybe that doesn't appeal to you, but I would encourage you to read the list any way. You might find the principles and truths resonate in your heart even if you are not particularly interested in God or Christianity. I hope you'll print this list out and keep it handy. (you'll find the entire series on "joy in troubled times" over on my other blog - www.seriousfaith.com)

Twenty Two Keys To Having Joy Even When Times Are Tough

1. A key to having joy in troubled times is a focus on Jesus and not our circumstances.
2. A key to having joy in troubled times is to focus on grace.
3. A key to having joy in troubled times is to choose to focus on others, praying and blessing them rather than focusing on your own circumstances.
4. A key to having joy in troubled times is when we look for how God is using our circumstances to further the gospel and glorify Christ.
5. A key to having joy in troubled times is when we remember "to live is Christ".
6. A key to having joy in troubled times is to remember that we are not alone.
7. A key to having joy in troubled times is to remember that we have already won the battle.
8. A key to having joy in troubled times is to remember is a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ.
9. A key to having joy in troubled times is unity through humility.
10. A key to having joy in troubled times is humbling yourself like Christ for the sake of others.
11. A key to having joy in troubled times is pouring yourself out for others so that you may be a light in a dark world.
12. A key to having joy in troubled times is to consider the example of other godly persons.
13. A key to having joy in troubled times is having a spiritual mind and not an earthly mind.
14. A key to having joy in troubled times is faith in Christ not faith in our religious works.
15. A key to having joy in troubled times is putting the past behind and pressing on toward the ultimate prize.
16. A key to having joy in troubled times is reminding ourselves of our future destination.
17. A key to having joy in troubled times is thinking about our future glorified existence in heaven.
18. A key to having joy in troubled times is acknowledging Christ's presence and being secure in it.
19. A key to having joy in troubled times is choosing to think about the right things which replace worry.
20. A key to having joy in troubled times is knowing that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
21. I can have joy in the midst of troubled times because Christ strengthens me.
22. I will have joy in troubling times because Christ gives me strength.