The Discipline of Rejoicing

Verse: Philippians 4:4-5
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Thoughts
Rejoicing can happen on many different levels. I rejoiced when my kids were born. I rejoiced when the Eagles won the Superbowl. I rejoice every time my kid comes home safe. Of course all of those look different.

So how do we rejoice in the Lord always? And what does in the Lord mean? I’m not saying I have all the answers on this. I think you should think about this verse deeply, and more than just as a passing thought. I think we should all ask ourselves, “do I rejoice regularly?”  And, “do I rejoice IN THE LORD?”

For me, this has a lot to do with gratitude to God, and with seeing God in everything. I rejoice in the provision of God in my life. I rejoice in the weather. I rejoice in my friendships. I rejoice even when life is hard. When life is hard I have to try and look for stuff to be grateful for – but maybe that is even fulfilling this verse more intentionally!

It is kind of a spiritual discipline: looking for God in all things, and finding opportunities for gratitude. And it is so good for us. It changes our perspective. It lifts our vision off of the mundane, or even the painful, and helps us to see God’s hand in our lives. It shifts our focus from self to Him. It takes our sense of stability off of our circumstances, and places it on Jesus. I could go on. This is why Paul says to do this always. It is literally a game changer.

So what can you be grateful for today? What can you rejoice in? How can you see God in your life today, even if your life is hard today? Lean into that. Talk to him about it. Thank him and rejoice in what he has done for you – even when life is difficult. In this way, I think, we’ll start to experience the joy of this verse.

Prayer
Thank you God. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me your Spirit. Thank you for filling me with your presence. Help me to live today seeing you more clearly, and thanking you more often.

Author: Christian Dunn