Finding Reasons to Smile When Life is Tough

Is it just me, or does it seem that more and more people are going through tough times? That’s why finding reasons to smile when life is tough is so important, even for those of us in Marketplace Ministry. Our ministry has to continue, even in tough times, so it’s important to stay focused and not let the tough times take you to an unhealthy place. Continuing to laugh and smile is a huge start to help you recover from the tough times that touch us all.

That’s why The Extra Life Marketplace Ministry always adds a healthy dose of encouragement to everything we do. If you hang with us, YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED! 

When life is tough, you can’t help but ask (or at least think), why? It’s natural for people to desire the best for themselves and others. We don’t want our feelings hurt. We don’t want to feel pain or loss. We want our desires to be met and we don’t want to wait. These and many more of our desires for life are unreasonable, when you consider what life is really about.

• Sometimes we have to wait even though we don’t like it.

• We experience pain and hurt, even though we run from it.

• We don’t always get our way, even though we fight to get what we want.

In our minds, we hope for life to happen the way we desire. In reality, there are so many variables that influence life, including God’s sovereignty, that a better goal is to learn the skill of managing the life that comes as you pursue the life you want.

In other words, GO FOR IT! Fight for your Marketplace Ministry. Fight for the money you want. Fight for your marriage, family, career goals – all of it. If you want it, fight for it!

BUT, in every battle there are opposing forces that also have an agenda. 

• Someone else wants the job that you seek.
• When you want a discount, the seller wants a bigger profit.
• You want to get off work early, your boss wants everyone to stay late.
• Your children want to go to a movie, you just want to stay at home.

There’s spiritual warfare to consider, hindering habits to get rid of and so many variables that make life go differently that you plan. Yes, and God’s soverenty still get’s the last word. 

The solution – find a reason to smile even when life is tough.

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Why waste opportunities to have moments of laugher when joy can happen right in the middle of the tough times; you just have to grab the smiles when you see them.

Here are some suggestions to help – 

1. Find a balance by scheduling your fun time and sticking with it, even when you don’t feel like it. Check out the events in your city and go do something different. Hang out with some friends, go to a movie or event. This fun activity should be so different that it takes your mind off of the daily grind and tough times that come and go.
2. Avoid people who love problems and drama. They love to tell you about their problems. They own their issues like a trophy and love to share with you. An hour with them makes you feel worse not better. Instead of hanging with them, share this post and let’s put some happy in their life too!
3. Find some happy friends who know how to laugh during adversity. Yes, you need some friends who are free and fun. 
4. Post some funny quotes on your social media sites. If times are tough, it’s likely reflecting in everything you post. Lighten up and add a funny picture to those posts.
5. Go on YouTube and search for “Funniest Videos.” There are hundreds of videos that are goofy and hilarious. Enjoy!
6. Look for something funny in different places and be willing to laugh even when it’s tough. Laughing helps relieve pain and smiling helps lower your blood pressure. So, look for reasons to laugh and smile. It’s worth it.
7. Connect with media that keeps you smiling. When you watch TV, read or go to the movies, make sure you are entertaining yourself with lighter images instead of heavy dark concepts.

• Here are a few more places online that will keep you smiling.

Saturday Night Live Sketches

Funny tweets

Christian Comedians

Obviously, some challenges such as the loss of a loved-one can’t be overcome by reading a funny article. Only time can heal some hurts. Professional help is a great benefit too. 

At the Extra Life Marketplace Ministry, we want to help you with exceptional living, beyond the limits, in business and ministry. We know that a smile goes a long way when life is good and also when the challenges come.

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