Rejoice!

 1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV

Rejoice always

At first glance, this is a nice little phrase. It sounds like the kind of thing that could be on a mug, or on a twee cross-stitch decoration. Yet the more we think about it, the more surprising it seems.

How can we rejoice when the world seems to be on the brink of WWIII? How could we rejoice if recently bereaved? How could we rejoice if we lost our job?

Thankfully, there is cause for rejoicing that isn't just circumstantial. Happiness is more circumstantial, more of a feeling. Joy is more of a virtue that God can give us through faith in Him, whatever the circumstances.

We can rejoice no matter what the circumstances if we know that nothing can separate us from God's love. If we know that Christ died so we can be forgiven for all our wrongness, we can rejoice. If we have an eternity with Him to look forward to, we can rejoice.

'Heavenly Father, please help us to rejoice in You, the Source of all joy, happiness and blessing. Please forgive us for times we don't, in Jesus' name, amen'

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