Rejoice in the Lord

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  (Philippians 4:4-5)

Violence, war, crime, addiction, broken homes, people dying, thousands upon thousands hospitalized, packed cemeteries, overcrowded prisons, the world is filled with problems. How are we expected to be joyful people in the midst of all of this negativity? Paul says, “REJOICE,” but not in the sadness and negativity of life but rejoice in the Lord always!

Rejoicing in the Lord takes our minds off of all of the negativity that exists and places it in the hands of the One who is more than able to do something about it. In 2 Corinthians 4:17 we find Paul’s words of encouragement, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” As someone who suffered much for the sake of Christ, who better to understand the benefit of rejoicing in the Lord. After all Paul had been beaten, thrown into prison, stoned, snake bit, shipwrecked, and we only have a glimpse of his life who’s to say what his emotional and mental sufferings were like. However, he is not the only one who willingly suffered for Christ’s sake. Not many consider the beheading of John the Baptist, or Peter who said, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”  (1 Peter 4:12) 

Rejoice not because of your suffering but because God is in control!