Covid has made turbulent times for us but it is also a great opportunity to show the difference the Lord makes in our lives. An iceberg is mostly below the water level and is affected by ocean currents more than surface storms.
Likewise the deep currents of God’s work in our lives can keep us going despite the headwinds of problems.
This week and the next two weeks will be a mini series on having perspectives of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks at all times. This first installment is on rejoicing always. We can only do this as we understand what this means and then how to apply it to our lives.
The church in Thessalonica was planted by Paul but he could only stay there about a month. He further instructs the believers, even when they were very young in the faith, to have good relationships based on having these characteristics of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks.
Understanding How To Rejoice Always
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul lays out the structure. All three commands are parallel and emphasize they should be ongoing in our lives. For each the key is that this is God’s will in Christ Jesus.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV).
“Rejoice" comes from joy which has a root meaning from the word grace. Grace is some kind of good given so rejoicing is always dependent on something outside of us. We cannot just rejoice. There has to be a reason for our rejoicing.
The source then is critical in learning to rejoice always and that source is our life in Christ.
It is God’s desire that we rejoice always in Christ Jesus. He is the strength of our joy and even a fruit of the Spirit is joy.
John 15:11 says that Jesus gives us His joy and then our joy is made full. His joy becomes our joy.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11, NIV).
This source in Christ takes on two areas. First, we should have the Lord’s perspective to have joy. But also He gives us the ability to rejoice. Both come from Him.
The world is desperately looking for joy, going from one experience to the next as each experience fades. We have a constant source of joy in the Lord as we look and rely on Him.
How To Apply Rejoicing Always To Our Lives
Rejoicing always is not a blindness to other factors or pretending they do not exist or are not painful. This would be living a surface lifestyle and is not attractive or real.
Actually the call to rejoice is going deeper into reality and takes into account all circumstances honestly.
We have true difficulties but they are to be seen in the ultimate reality of who the Lord is and what He is doing.
God’s word has many, many examples of this.
James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7 both say that difficulties in our lives mature our faith and therefore are worth it. These have the backdrop of the Lord’s sovereignty and that Jesus is returning. We take both the adversity and the good results, weigh them together in light of the Lord, and can rejoice.
“Rejoicing always can also be mixed with sorrow and sadness.”
2 Corinthians 6:10 shows Paul having this combination. Jesus also wept with Mary and Martha over Lazarus’ death, even right before He raised him from the dead.
Real compassion enters into the feelings of others and does not discount them. But it does not end in despair as God is over all and working. So we can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).
“Often rejoicing always is a choice of obedience. ”
In Philippians 1:18 Paul decided to rejoice in his imprisonment. Like starting a car, we have everything needed to rejoice but we need to decide to do it.
“The result of rejoicing always is a witness to others because of our hope. ”
1 Peter 3:15 mentions that unbelievers will ask why we have such hope and then we can tell them about the Lord.
How do we start rejoicing always?
Here are some steps:
Pray that the Lord will help you rejoice. It is His joy that should be our joy.
Take stock of your thoughts. What is keeping you from rejoicing? As one person said, unpack your emotional suitcase and note down what is there.
Now take these thoughts to the Lord for His perspective. What does His word say? What is He doing through them? What principles from God’s word bring a full picture to your situation?
Next shift your attitude to the Lord to give a defiant “nevertheless” to your struggles. You can rejoice in the Lord based on who He is and His truth.
