Always Rejoice In The Lord

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”
– Philippians 4:4

It seems strange that someone in prison would be telling a Church to rejoice. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him.

What’s the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness depends on what happens.

If you put your trust in happiness, you’re going to be a victim of circumstances because your circumstances will change. But God never changes.

The Bible doesn’t tell us to rejoice in circumstances; the Bible says to rejoice in the Lord. And since He never changes, the Bible means rejoice forever.

Happiness is like cosmetics. Joy is like character; it comes from within. Happiness meets surface needs; joy meets your deepest needs. Happiness is like a thermometer; it registers conditions. Joy is like a thermostat; it regulates conditions.

Happiness evaporates and disappears in times of suffering, but joy frequently intensifies in times of suffering and is often intertwined with suffering.

Happiness always functions best when rooted in joy. If you have joy, and then you overlay that joy with happiness, that’s a wonderful thing.

Joy, on the other hand, is not dependent on happiness and may function even better when happiness is taken away.

When have you experienced joy in disappointing circumstances?

How likely is your mood or demeanor to be dictated by your circumstances?

Share with someone the reasons you have joy today, regardless of your circumstances

PRAYER CONFESSION
Pray along with me:
Lord Jesus, make my life your dwelling place, for you are an embodiment of Joy. I know that it is easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances. Lord please make your abode in me that I will be an embodiment of joy; looking at life from the right perspective. In Jesus’s Name.

Be an embodiment of Joy from this Tuesday onward