Two simple practices that can bring joy when life is hard.

The Bible gives some bold directives. Paul, writing to a group of people who were both impoverished and persecuted, makes one of them. He writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:1). Had I received that letter from Paul’s hand, I might have been tempted to ask, “Really? Why don’t you try to rejoice in these circumstances!” But elsewhere Paul reminds us that he had done so.

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9, 10).

The apostle Paul was a seasoned veteran when it came to persecution and suffering (2 Cor. 11:23-29). Yet, he always found a way to rejoice. Here are two simple ways to pursue joy during difficult times.

Review your past with gratitude, not with negativity.

Ann Voskamp is the bestselling author of A Thousand Gifts. Her book was developed out of a journal where she simply kept a daily record of things for which she was grateful. She began to see these past experiences as gifts. She encouraged others to do the same with a list of 1,000 gifts as the goal. Perhaps you’re thinking Ann’s life was untouched by hardship. Not so fast. Her publisher shares Ann’s past. He writes, “As a child, her sister was crushed under a truck in front of her and her mother.  Consequently, her mother checked herself into a psychiatric hospital and her father couldn’t find God.  As an adult, she stood beside her brother-in-law as he buried his first two sons.  Voskamp is a wife and mother who does not grin through the pain but battles to believe that in God is joy. She believes that there are as many gifts amid the grittiness of life as in the moments of celebration.”

God told the Old Testament Israelites to set up memorials; places where they could remember what God had done on their behalf. The Lord knew their propensity for negativity. He saw in their heart their tendency towards a complaining spirit. He knows ours as well. As Christians, this is one of the benefits of routinely celebrating the Lord’s Table. Down through the centuries, Jesus’ words remind us of what was done on our behalf.  He said, “this do in remembrance of me” (2 Cor. 11:25).” Whatever our circumstances, we come back to that bedrock moment for which we are to be grateful: Jesus Christ died in our place when we did not deserve it.

Refocus on others’ needs, not your troubles.

While reliving our past properly may help our attitude, it doesn’t disperse our present-day difficulties. To do so you’ll need to love others well. Such love would have us put others’ needs ahead of our wants. And it would make sacrifices accordingly. Love and joy intersect at the crossroad of others’ needs. When we are refocusing on others’ needs our own troubles often pale.

I had friend who was a brilliant man. Rarely did I ask him a question, particularly about history, for which he didn’t have an answer. Until his retirement, he had committed his life to raising up the next generation of teachers. He’d influenced hundreds of teachers and, through them, thousands of students. The year prior to his death he was bedridden.  His condition was so complicated that he could not be cared for at home. Imagine: for 365 days he was continually uncomfortable and in need of constant care. Yet, for the dozens of times I visited him in the hospital, I was never greeted with anything but a smile. His questions centered on me, my work and my family. And it just wasn’t me. That’s how he was with all who visited him. My friend had found the key to joy: whenever possible, refocus on others’ needs, not your own troubles.

So, here are two simple practices that bring joy in hard times. Review you past with gratitude, not negativity, and refocus on others’ needs, not your troubles. Joy will follow.