Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Just a few short words – rejoice in the Lord! Sounds simple enough and to me it should be, but hard in reality.

So, when I study this word I ask, is it really possible to rejoice Always in the Lord? Am I supposed to walk around with a smile and a skip in my step every day? Am I never to worry or feel sad and distressed? Am I to deny the trouble that besets life or will they never come near my life as a believer? And, is this meant only for readers in Philippians? Am I taking this too personally? After all, times are different today.

This much I know. Philippians 4:4 is given directly to each one of us. The subject here is an implied You. Paul is telling each one of us to rejoice always. This word he gives is timeless and for every Christian.

What Paul is sharing with us is a supernatural joy – Joy in the Lord. And this is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. This joy can only be attained by keeping our eyes on Him and understanding that our help and our power to live with this kind of joy is from abiding in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul learned this secret and shares it with us today.

The other day this was more than difficult for me. But the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Margi, thank Him every day for being with you. Thank Him for never leaving your side and walking with you through the events of this day. So, all day long I went about saying, “thank you Lord for being here with me. And you know what? Within a short period of time my whole attitude changed. Yes, I actually found my day to be fun and my heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness!

Try this next time life becomes difficult – when you’re facing a day of sadness or trouble creeps in. Just thank Him for being with you every step of the way. Find yourself saying it out loud over and over again throughout your day.

And my friends in Christ you will be on the way to rejoicing in the lord always!