Finding Joy

Philippians 4:4-7: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be mad known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoicing:
Rejoicing at this time is difficult, even for Christians who have the joy of the Lord in their hearts.

At the same time, rejoicing is the act of a joyous person. It is sharing joy. It comes from a state of being, not an emotion.

For example, happiness. Happiness is like sadness. It is an emotion. It is also an emotion that can go away as quickly as it comes. If I said, "Don't worry, be happy," you would think I was quoting a Bobby McFarren song. You would also think me a bit daft.

And I would. Yet if I asked you to be joyous and rejoice, then you would think that I had gone off the deep end. 

Rejoice in the Lord:
Now re-read the passage above. Don't read it silently. Read it loudly. Read it with joy. What key words did you hear God say to you through those words?

Let me spell out a few as you read it aloud again.

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS
The Lord IS AT HAND.
do not be ANXIOUS about ANYTHING
and the PEACE OF GOD

Stuck Inside:
With everything going on right now, especially now, rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. REJOICE!

Let's spend some time talking about joy. About what things are you joyous today; in this current situation. I am looking forward to hearing from you.