When you place your focus on God and His teachings, your perspective changes. You develop clarity on what is important and recognize that new opportunities and blessings are part of every day. No matter what challenges you face His Word enables you to live a life filled with joy.

Try this powerful prayer technique; begin your prayer time with praise. Praise God for His glory and mercy and His ability to redeem every situation and convert challenges into positive growth. Praise Him for His holiness, His greatness and His promises.

It may be hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Sometimes the details of family gatherings—planning the meals, shopping, or making travel arrangements—take center stage and we fret over making everything perfect. Don’t worry. Everything always gets done, and instead of trying to make everything perfect, focus on your love of God and your family and friends.

The parable of the good and faithful servant in Matthew emphasizes the value of little things. Sometimes we think in grandiose terms—what bold grand gesture can we do to show our faith? But in this parable, as well as in the life of Jesus, it is the little things that “Enter into the joy of the Master.”

There will be times when we need courage to keep us going when the going is hard. Tap into the Source of Courage by feeling God’s presence. Hear Him say, “I am with you always.” Pray for courage as you pray for your daily bread.

One way to develop inner joy in your life is to end your nights with prayers of gratitude. Each night, right before you go to sleep, instead of rehashing the day or worrying about tomorrow, count your blessings and thank God for each and every one of them. List everything that makes you happy, from the comfort of your home, to the beauty of the clear blue sky. Pray these precious moments before sleep connecting with God and the good in your life.

There are times in life that despite trying your hardest, praying earnestly and deeply desiring something, it just doesn’t happen. Sometimes we must accept that not everything is available when we want it. When this happens we must trust that something better—something different than what we expected—is on its way.