Rejoice Always

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.

(Philippians 4:4)

I admit, sometimes it's hard to feel like rejoicing. Much of life today is filled with struggles and strife, even for a believer. Much of the time it's worse when we're saved. We are guaranteed to have trials because of our beliefs. For instance, it’s very difficult for me to watch television anymore because of the secular and/or political slant of most of the programming. When I do watch, my blood wants to boil, and I can feel animosities building up in my heart. It's quite the same for social media. I really hate those feelings, so I have to stop watching television, or just do something else online. Then, I have to ask for forgiveness for what I’ve been thinking. After I’ve done that, I can feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit wash over me. Then, I can get back to rejoicing.

However, I’m told to rejoice always. Am I expected to rejoice even at the passing of a dear loved one? How do I rejoice in the society we live in? Can I rejoice when I see so much pain and suffering in the world? With so many temptations and provocations to sinful behavior, how am I supposed to rejoice always? At every turn in life, I’m running into something that tries to steal my joy. All of those are distractions, and if they are all I concentrate on, I will never be able to rejoice. I believe, for me, the answer to these questions is, to keep my focus on what’s really important. That would be Jesus Christ and my relationship with him.
Most people confuse joy with happiness. The logic goes; if I’m unhappy, I can’t rejoice. Maybe that’s partly why so many Christians act grumpy all the time. They have no joy in their hearts. They want to want to feel joy, they’re told they should rejoice, but things aren’t going so well for them, making them unhappy. So, no rejoicing for them. They have let the world steal the joy they felt at the moment of their salvation. The fact remains, anyone can find reasons to rejoice even when we’re unhappy. Any unhappiness I feel in this lifetime is short-lived when compared to eternity. When I feel pressed down by the sorrows of this life, I look to my future in paradise with Jesus and I find reason to rejoice.

It’s much easier for me when I refresh myself with a daily devotional time, and regular attendance at church. While I’m with my Christian brothers and sisters, I can praise and worship the Lord. It’s a time to rejoice in my salvation and where I can bring my unsaved friends, that they too can find a reason to rejoice. While I’m together with my Christian family, I can build others up and rejoice in fellowship with them, and they, in turn, will encourage me. That helps me to rejoice all through the rest of any difficult week. I try never to miss it. ❤

Heavenly Father, you are our Maker and our Master. There is nothing in all of creation greater than you. You bring unspeakable joy to our lives, even when we are in the times of life that aren’t easy. The blessed hope of eternal life gives us great reason to rejoice, even when the enemy is beating us down. You have rescued us from the slavery to wickedness and depravity. We rejoice at being a new creation in Jesus Christ. We rejoice at having your Spirit living in us, to guide us, every day. We rejoice at the new purpose for our lives you have given us. We rejoice at waking up every morning with a fresh resolve to serve you. We rejoice at the very breath in our lungs. We rejoice with every new repentant brother and sister, baptized and added to the fold. We rejoice for everything you have forgiven us for, Father, and we say, ‘thank you’ for all you do. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen!