It is when times are trying that some of you find it next to impossible to rejoice. Your money is funny, bills are hitting the roof, loved ones are leaving here one after another, food is low, children are acting up, husband won’t cooperate, wife is out-of-control, in-laws are trying to meddle, school shootings are on the increase, car is on the blink, the doctor doesn’t have the answers, severe storms are on the rise, and our 2024 political climate has been filled with so much uncalled-for negativity! And you say, “Rejoice!” Yes! My brothers and sisters in Christ, the Apostle Paul commanded in Philippians 4:4 (ESV), “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Therefore, what the Apostle Paul meant is that in spite of the circumstances, good or bad, pretty or ugly, or whatever the case may be, REJOICE!
Paul was in a devastating situation; he was in prison, yet he rejoiced in the Lord and His goodness. We have to stop and look at it this way. In spite of what we are going through, it could be worse. Just remember that no matter how it may look, someone else is experiencing something much worse than you are. Consequently, rejoice in your trials because better is on the way!
When we rejoice instead of complaining so much, God hears and answers our cries and concerns more readily. Complaining doesn’t help; it only satisfies the one who is doing it. Let’s see what the Word says about rejoicing in times of trials and sufferings. (All verses below come from the English Standard Version (ESV):
• Romans 5:2-5—“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
• James 1:12—“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
• Romans 12:12—“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!
