Rejoice Always

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

It almost sounds funny huh? Rejoice, I command you. This text is a command, an emphatic appeal to the will. We do not keep this command until we engage our emotions as well. Paul commands us to act happy until we feel happy.

I often feel the need to rescue the Bible from the foolish at times like this. Paul is not telling us to deny our feelings. He often speaks of tears and commands us to mourn with those who mourn. Jesus said: Blessed are those who mourn, and James commands the rich to weep wail and mourn their sin.

He is not saying, no matter how bad something is you should lie about it and call it good.

College Students, you do not have to come back from awful Christmas breaks and say, “It was hard, but good.”

What is he saying? God has surrounded you with good things, celebrate them. Celebrate all the time. “Every good and perfect Gift is from your father in heaven.”

You have hundreds of opportunities to thank and praise God throughout the day, convert them.

Don’t just pray before your meal. When you put that great bite of food in your mouth, take a moment to celebrate it.

I had one of my children at Panera this week, and he was enjoying a mug of hot chocolate. As I watched him enjoy the smell, the feel of the warm liquid and the taste of the chocolate, I told him to thank God silently as he drank. Now not only are your senses of touch, taste and smell engaged, but your heart is engaged as well. Use that moment to bring your whole soul into praise.

As you follow the command to praise, your emotions follow your will. You find a deeper happiness than you ever expected.

Praise God when the hot shower rolls down your back. When you taste your morning coffee. When you wake up in a warm bed. When your children gather around you to watch a movie. When you have sex. When the sun is warm and you roll your windows down.

Rejoice in the Lord Always. At all times, whenever you have an excuse, praise the Lord. Not only will it give you joy, but it will also lead to sanity.

Reason