Joy Unaffected.

Joy is an emotion that we do not lose because something happens in our lives. It is something that anxiety cannot take away from us.

Rejoice Sometimes

In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church he says the following,

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.

Most people rejoice sometimes in their life time and there is noting unusual about it. They might be rejoicing about something that happens to them or in something that is happening around them. But that scene will soon change and they are plunged into other emotions like frustration or sadness. So rejoicing is not possible for them all the time.

But true rejoicing is in spite of whatever circumstances that a person is going through. It does not depend on what one has or what one goes through. It never changes with the events that take place around us. It is something that comes from the bottom of our hearts because of someone who lives in our hearts and gives us a mental state of affairs where we can rejoice no matter what happens to us and what we go through.

Paul Was Writing From a Dungeon

Paul, the writer of these words, was writing these lines as he was kept in solitary confinement in a dungeon in Rome without any basic amenities or facilities of life. Yet he was able to rejoice because he knew that even when the whole world was against him, the Lord was with him. He had the internal bliss which adversity or persecution could not take away form him. It was not centered on his circumstances or the things that he had, but on God the centre of all happiness.

God’s Spirit is the Spirit of joy unspeakable and when you and I have that joy, it is possible to rejoice. But this is not always externally exhibited joy, but internal joy which rejoices in all circumstances and conditions because the Lord is with us and in us and He controls all our circumstances to lead us through His plan for us. But the enemy of our soul will always try to create storms and frustrations around us so that we would not rejoice, but feel depressed.

Joy That We Do Not Lose

Rejoicing always means that this joy is an emotion that we do not lose because something happens in our lives. It is something that anxiety cannot take away from us. It is joy that individuals cannot deprive us of through any unkind or brutal act. This was why the martyrs of the Lord Jesus Christ gave their lives joyfully. Even threat to life could not take away this joy from them.

The Lord Jesus Christ had this joy when He marched towards the cross in the midst of persecution, oppression and severe mockery. But such a joy does not come to us automatically. It has to be cultivated in our character, thinking, desires, priorities, likes and dislikes. It has to be built into our emotions through the power of the Holy Spirit. It has to be anchored on the Word of God.

It must be founded through a continuous exchange of our will with that of God’s will for us. It has to be based on our blessed hope that the conditions that we go through would not be permanent, but will pass away soon when we march into eternal bliss with our Lord in Heaven.

Exhibit This Rejoicing

We need to exhibit this rejoicing through our conversations, behavior and attitude, with calmness and composure, in the way we react to our environment with all the people, things or circumstances of which we are a part. Through our behavior, conversations and other external expressions, we need to testify to this bliss to the people around and admonish them to rejoice in the Lord.

We need to remind ourselves that we are called upon to rejoice in all circumstances. The Spirit of God tells today through Paul that we need to rejoice always no matter what awaits us throughout this day, because no matter what happens, our Lord is in control of our lives and that He will cover us under His wings and keep us as the apple of His eyes.

Rejoicing is Not a Result of Changed Circumstances

We are reminded today that we cannot rejoice by changing our circumstances through our efforts. But we can rejoice no matter what happens around us because the Holy Spirit keeps our hearts and minds at perfect peace in the Lord.

We are even now given the Heavenly joy, and ultimately we are going to be in Heaven where there will be no tears, heartache, pain, separation, misery, thirst, hunger, frustration or sadness, but only joy as we become like our Lord Jesus and live in eternal bliss.

For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Psalms 33:21

Thought for Today

Those who are already seated in the Heavenly Realms are the only people who can rejoice always while still in this world.

Is your ministry hindered? Who are your helpers? We would to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.