Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Possible or not possible? Joy is normally thought of as an emotion that comes out during positive situations. For the Christian, however, joy transcends a fleeting feeling, for it is an integral part of our very being. Although it may be difficult at times, the ability to experience joy in spite of our circumstances is what sets us apart from those who do not know the Lord.
1 Peter 1:6 tells us that we may be grieved by various trials for a little while and our faith may be tested. This does not extinguished joy but rather leads us to a place of praise, in honour of Jesus Christ our Lord. For even though we have not seen him, we ‘believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory‘ (1Peter 1:8). By the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we have an unexplainable internal joy regardless of external circumstances.
Our joy does not come from an earthly perspective but from a heavenly one. We do not rejoice in the grief; we rejoice in the comfort given to carry it. We do not rejoice in the pain; we rejoice in the strength given to bear it. We look beyond what is, to what will be. The Lord Jesus endured the cross, ‘for the joy that was set before Him’ (Hebrews 12:2); He didn’t rejoice in the agony of the cross but in the glory of the kingdom and His place with the Father.
To have fullness of joy and the ability to rejoice always, lies in the eternal hope of heaven and our place with the Father, Son and Spirit.
Narrow Path Ministries 