God wants you to be happy and enjoy life. That doesn’t mean you will never experience trials or tough times. Here are five habits you can develop as a young person that will cause you to keep your joy through even the darkest hours.
- Regularly reading and meditating (thinking and pondering) on God’s Word (Ps. 119-105). This will energize your joy!
- Steadily communing with God. “Communion” comes from the word “communicate.” That’s it. Talk to God, praise Him, and give Him your requests and cares.
- Vision thinking. Find out what God has gifted you in. Take time to seek Him for your career and ambition. Take one step at a time as you grow to get there.
- Singing a good song aloud! God made us to sing. Not all of us sound that good, but it doesn’t matter. Find songs and worship music that inspire you for good, and sing! (Ps. 95:1).
- Attending church weekly. Stay connected to good friends, strong mentors, and caring pastors who will help you stay on track.
Source: Every Teenager’s Little Black Book of Hard to Find Information
by Blaine Bartel.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Blaine is a modern-day Lazarus.
Jesus resurrected him out of 23 years of sexual addiction and the death of everything he held dear. Today he coaches men out of sexual brokenness and into the Jesus life.
Blaine and his wife Lori reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They love going on long walks from the kitchen to the living room and have a weakness for reality shows. Along with his speaking and coaching, Blaine is a writer and has recently shared his resurrection story in his latest book, "Death by a Thousand Lies."
For the inquiring mind, a complete history is below.