An Apostle’s letter: How to rejoice in hard time?

"Therefore, my beloved:" From Apostle Paul to you this December.

Summary: You all are my beloved. My joy. Stand firm in the Lord Jesus. Stop bickering among yourselves. Be peacemakers. Think of excellence. Be in love, joy and peace. Be in Christ. Be real in Him.

Therefore, my fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree and to work in harmony in the Lord...my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
⁸ Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. ⁹ The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it... 
(Quoted in parts from: Philippians 4 Amplified Bible)

the positive power of the word: "confess"

Today we come to one powerful positive word: “confess”. Take note that this is a verb and not a noun. The word has often been associated with fear. No one wants to make public his or her deepest secret. The word “confess” intrudes. However, today we look at the positive side of this word which is in truth a key to opening the door to victory in life!
Here are some powerful and real life and death matters on positive confessions in the Bible:
Jesus ‘confesses’ good reports about believers to God in heaven, for recording purposes! (Praise God for such a system of positive record – the Book of life !)
Matthew 10:32[ Confess Christ Before Men ] “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:31-33 (in Context)
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:4-6 (in Context)
Apostle Peter ‘confesses’ correctly (as led by the Holy Spirit) and is commended instantly by Jesus:
Matthew 16:15-17
¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Confessing rightly with our mouths bring us to salvation!
Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:8-10 (in Context)
When one confesses, God is listening. Each individual confesses to the Almighty God.
Romans 14:10-12
¹⁰ But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.^{[a] 11} For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”^[b]

¹² So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

When one confesses, one is giving glory to God. The name of Jesus is exalted. it has to come from the heart and not mere lip service. God knows. 

Philippians 2:10-12

¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

One confesses to God for sins. Why? Because God wants to forgive you.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-10 (in Context)

I confesses who Jesus is, to me. Why? Because God wants to live in me.

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:14-16 (in Context)

What shall I do, after confessing Who Jesus is to me? Hold fast to my confession.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-13 (in Context)