Thoughts.com Blogs - Loneful Rejoicing

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

_we encounter a lot of pains and pain resulting situations in a bit of our daily lives. some were kind mostly others are harsh. some wounds us lightly, others break us deeply. on some we can smile and say, "life goes on." on others, crying won't be enough and being dead isn't the end. how come some smiles even on adversities and others break down? when "tragedy" is said, or frustration, or pain or hardship, i always had Paul in mind. the only apostle written to have so much of life's bad gifts. if not all, then mostly of his life is spent on surviving and enduring life's cruel treatment. amidst of all his sufferings, he managed to say, "rejoice in the Lord always." wow, that is so amazing, isn't it?

_we suffer, that's undeniable. we could rejoice when we suffer, then that's doubtful but not impossible! what took Paul to rejoice in his suffering, it's Jesus! his faithfulness to Him is awarded with no reservation of heavenly joy. yea, heavenly, for the joy that sprouts in our heart even when everything else is so frustrating is from heaven. and only those who were identified with Jesus experiences this joy. again, only those identified with Christ can be joyous. no doubt Paul could say, "rejoice!"

_joy compared to happiness surpasses time and life unlike the latter that is so temporary and fast enduring. joy unlike happiness is not based on circumstances, events and other ourside environment but springs from a peaceful heart dependent on God.

_you can rejoice too, even when life changes from gold to rust. like Paul, near-death and almost-dead experiences cannot be thieves of your joy. like Paul, let your joy manifest with happiness encouraging others to go on and be faithful as you live faithfully. God rejoices to those who counts it a blessing when they suffer for His Kingdom.

_you can rejoice always, yes, always!