It is difficult to always remain joyful, especially in times of change, hardships, or losses. Paul, the author of the letter to the Philippians, was certainly familiar with this. At the time of writing the letter, Paul was in prison under the guard of Roman soldiers (Acts 28).
Despite being in a dire situation, Paul still wrote to the church in Philippi and encouraged them to always rejoice. He also instructed them to pray to God instead of worrying or being anxious (Philippians 4:6). They were to bring their requests to God with thanksgiving.
If we learn to always rejoice and submit to God in prayer instead of worrying, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).
God has given us everything we could ever hope for. If we believe in Jesus, we receive forgiveness for our past mistakes, as well as grace and peace. Furthermore, the Spirit of God dwells within us to empower us in our new life.
All of this gives us reason to praise God continuously. Nothing can separate us from God’s love, and because of this, we have full assurance of our eternal salvation.
Finding joy in the Lord during times of trial makes our faith in Jesus deeper and stronger.
Set aside time today to rejoice in the Lord. If you are struggling, start by listing everything God has done for you. You can also list His attributes, such as His goodness, faithfulness, and love. Spend time in prayer thanking Him for each of these things, and continue this practice throughout the week to build a habit of gratitude.
