Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

How Does One Find Joy In The Midst Of The Waves?

Life is hard, and it's hard to find a reason to smile sometimes.

Maali Padro

Jan 24, 2017

Abilene Christian University

How Does One Find Joy In The Midst Of The Waves?

Heartfull Whispers

Rejoice (in the Lord) Always.

1 Thessalonians 5:16/Philippians 3:1

It's so easy to be happy when everything going right, but the Bible commands us to Rejoice Always. What does that really mean?

I find it interesting that when the Bible talks about joy or rejoicing it talks about trials and hardships as well. For example, when Paul wrote to the Philippines he was held captive! How does one even find uplifting words in such a situation? Paul wrote to them about joy, hope, and persevering. What motivation could He have found locked up in a cell?

Paul BELIEVED in God.

Paul believed in God. God, who is sovereign. God, who holds the whole world in His hands. God, who is in control. God, who loved Him. God, who redeemed Him. God, who had never failed Him. God, who believed in Him. God, who believes in you.

Paul TRUSTED in God.

God had never failed Paul. When Paul hit rock bottom and was at His darkest place God extended His hand out to Him and brought light into His life. God had every reason to give up on Him. I mean, Saul (Paul) persecuted His people! God had every right to smite (really couldn't think of any other word) Him. But, no, God showered Him with His Grace, Love, and Mercy. God never failed Him and He's never gonna fail you.

Paul HOPED in God.

Paul was willing to die for the sake of Christ. To Him, death was life. In Philippians, he expresses his dilema of wanting to die already and be with God versus wanting to live in order to be of encouragement to them. See, Paul's hope wasn't in this world; it was in God. That's why death didn't faze Him. That's why persecution didn't faze Him. That's why He wanted to just die. He wanted to start living! "For to him, to live was Christ and to die was gain" (Philippians 1:21). His hope, to be with God, was in Christ! He was willing to die for the sake of Christ because Christ was His hope. Christ is our hope.

Paul REJOICED ALWAYS in the Lord

Because Paul BELIEVED in God He was able to TRUST in Him. Because Paul TRUSTED in God He was able to HOPE in God. Because He BELIEVED, TRUSTED, and HOPED in Him He was able to "Rejoice in Him Always." Even when the waves were really crashing down on Him, because He knew that his sovereign Father was in control.

To Rejoice in the Lord does not mean that we deny our feelings, but that we rest in His care...

To Rejoice in the Lord is to Believe that He's in control...

To Rejoice in the Lord is to Trust in His faithfulness...

To Rejoice in the Lord is to Desire Him...

To Rejoice in the Lord is to Fall in Love with Him...

To Rejoice in the Lord is a decision to choose Christ over circumstances, people, decisions, feelings...

To Rejoice in the Lord is to choose Christ...

It's not a feeling, it's a choice. Paul chose to Rejoice. (Philippians 1:18) Paul chose Christ.

IN CHRIST FULLNESS OF JOY IS FOUND (Psalms 16:11). In Him you can always find a reason to smile.

http://www.heartfullwhispers.wordpress.com
#heartfullwhispers

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

Living Away From Home, As Described By 'Friends'

For better or for worse

Loyola University Chicago

2194

tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Student Life

11 Things You Think About During Class

Some of your best ideas come through boredom.

Dallas Baptist University

1357

Google Images

No matter how long your class is, there's always time for the mind to wander. Much like taking a shower or trying to fall asleep, sitting in a classroom can be a time when you get some of your best ideas. But, more than likely, you're probably just trying to mentally cope with listening to a boring lecturer drone on and on. Perhaps some of the following Aristotle-esque thoughts have popped into your head during class.

Keep Reading...Show less

class

Entertainment

Advice To Live By As Told By Bob's Burgers

The Belchers hold the key to a better life.

Denison University

1686

Adult Swim

Bob's Burgers is arguably one of the best and most well-written shows on tv today. That, and it's just plain hilarious. From Louise's crazy antics to Tina's deadpan self-confidence, whether they are planning ways to take over school or craft better burgers, the Belchers know how to have fun. They may not be anywhere close to organized or put together, but they do offer up some wise words once and awhile.

Keep Reading...Show less

bobs burgers

Recommended for you

How Does One Find Joy In The Midst Of The Waves?

Life is hard, and it's hard to find a reason to smile sometimes.

Rejoice (in the Lord) Always.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sleepovers are not a thing. They're just not.

1. You only ask things once.

2. Seriously, you only ask once.

3. When you do muster up the courage to ask your parents for something, you creep around and wait until they’re in a good mood.

4. Before you get that final yes, you have to go through an interview.

5. If you ever got “the eye,” you knew you were screwed.

6. You were always the first to leave your group of friends when hanging out.

7. If you say you will be home at a certain time, you better be home at that time.

8. Seeing a missed call from your parents sends fear and horror through your veins.

9. If relatives are coming over to the house, your room better be clean.

10. You are careful about what jokes you share with your parents.

11. "You’re not an adult until you turn 18! You can do whatever you want then!"

12. If plans change while you’re out, you better text or call.

13. Don’t talk back. Ever.

14. When you’re called by your full name, you’re in deep trouble.

15. Don’t make them call your name twice.

16. Sleepovers are not a thing.

17. Despite all of these things, you know your parents love you.

For better or for worse

1. Pets

2. Mornings

3. Mistakes

4. Cooking for yourself

5. Hosting

6. Taking care of yourself

7. Holidays

8. Roommates

9. Keeping focused and getting stuff done

10. Cleaning

11. Social life

No, really. I'm not mad. Just hungry.

1. You’re tired of people asking you if you know what “RBF” stands for every time you zone out.

2. You’re constantly using the excuse, “I’m just tired” when people ask you if you’re mad.

3. Or “I’m just thinking.”

4. In fact, you’re rarely ever actually mad.

5. But when you are, people usually can’t tell.

6. You find other people with RBF’s and have to convince yourself that you don’t look like them.

7. You constantly remind yourself, “At least I’m not a psycho.”

Some of your best ideas come through boredom.

1. If the professor is late by one minute, I'm leaving.

2. Oh crap, that's due TODAY?!

3. Can I nap in here?

4. I wonder what they're serving at the cafeteria.

5. How much does my teacher even get paid?

6. How much will I get paid?

7. This is the longest 50 minutes of my life.

8. Maybe if I call mom, she'll give me money.

9. How much do street performers make anyway?

10. Why am I here? I could be a street performer by now.

11. Oh right, I'm not talented.

The Belchers hold the key to a better life.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Lifestyle

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter