“Rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18 NIV
While studying this passage, I saw this statement “Most Christians cannot lose their salvation, but they can lose the joy of their salvation.” Why? Then the next statement caught my attention, “Joy is not always a feeling, but a way of living. ‘Always’ is tough! Rejoice in the Lord always. How can you always be joyful when everything is not joyful? It is a choice.”1
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy is one of the fruits of the of the Spirit. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John15:5).
Then it made me realize, a long time back before I knew Jesus in my life, that the joy I am enjoying is only temporary due to satisfaction in physical, material, and emotional (self-praise, self-love, and accomplishments). But this joy easily faded off once the situation was not in my favor, especially during my frustration, failure, problem, and even sorrow. It’s very hard to be joyful, to be thankful, and even to be prayerful.
But now I know that the keyword is “abide.” We find our joy in Jesus. The joy of the Lord is our strength. We can choose to rejoice and be joyful in Jesus, even when the circumstances surrounding us do not seem all too favorable Once we rejoice then our feelings will follow, and we will be joyful.
Prayer: Dear God, today I lift and pray for my family and friends. Whatever hardship, problems, or sickness they are going through, may they find comfort and security in You and be thankful for all the blessings they receive. I pray for those who don’t know You yet or who are far from You, that they find a way to reunite and believe that You are the answer to all of their agony and despairs. In You alone, we can find true joy and peace. Amen.
