It is challenging to be joyful when everything is not going the way we want it, isn't it? But God is encouraging us to be joyful in every circumstance. Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." It seems God is commanding us something that we can't do, yet God cannot command us to do something that we can't do because He is a fair and just God, unless God will give us the power to be joyful in every circumstance. So how do we become joyful in every circumstance? The answer is in Romans 15:13. It says, "May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." The answer to becoming joyful in every circumstance is our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. When we have complete hope that our lives are in God's hands and He will take care of our every need and situation, we can rejoice because God will work everything out for us.
It is about trusting God to the unknown and stepping to a place where we do not have any control whatsoever. Our complete trust in our Lord Jesus Christ will give us hope. And our hope will give us joy in the middle of our circumstances. There was a woman with terminal cancer who used to come to the church that I was going to. When she was still alive and in the hospital going through cancer treatment, she inspired so many people around her. Everybody around her could see the hope and joy that were radiating from her face. She was supposed to be sad and fearful because she knew that her days were numbered. Yet, she was full of joy because she had a wonderful hope that when her life was over on this earth, she would see Jesus face to face, and all her suffering would be replaced with joy, peace, and adoration to her Lord Jesus and Heavenly Father.
While we are still living on this earth, our Lord Jesus promised us that He will always be with us, taking care of us. When we completely trust our Lord Jesus Christ in any circumstance that we have, we will abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, we will be joyful in our circumstances.
Ask yourself these questions: Do I completely trust my Lord Jesus Christ in my current circumstance? What should I do to have joy in every circumstance that I have?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me this morning to be joyful in every circumstance that I have. Lord Jesus, I confess that it is difficult for me to rejoice through my struggles, but please help me trust in you completely that I may put my hope in you and have the joy to go through my circumstances through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.