"Rejoice always." 1 Thessalonians 5:16
It's as easy as that. Rejoice always.
Since when did we think we could not be happy all the time as Christians? I've heard people say that the Christian life is full of suffering. Don't think I don't know people are being persecuted and ridiculed for their beliefs, but if we keep things in perspective, we can find a certain joy in any circumstance. Look at the Apostle Paul who was in jail many times and wrote to people about rejoicing in the Lord.
Philippians is a famous example. Even in chains, Paul wrote to the Philippians about finding joy found in Christ in this life. The contentment he found while in prison is evident in the persistent theme of hope and grace that leap off the pages as he instructs other believers with how to deal with private matters in the church and struggling beliefs in the books of Ephesians, Philemon, and Colossians. No complaints about the sorrows he has been facing, nor blood that has been shed. Only rejoicing in the fact that it brings glory to the gospel and that he is proud to be a part of the suffering that will surely be rewarded one day in heaven.
In the middle of a day where all seems lost, remember to rejoice always.
Counting your blessings is hard when you are in a bad mood, so maybe try this is one thing I like to do. I like to pick one thing that consumes my time and delete it from my life for a while. Instead I go off and find something to do and think and pray about whatever maybe on my mind. But whatever is keeping you from rejoicing, examine the motives behind it and it's meaning. Ask yourself if it's what God wants for you or if it's even right. In any depressed or frustrated mood, we can examine the things that are frustrating and soon find peace when we realize to either let it go or not let it control us.
Rejoice always.
Never stop praying. Never stop looking for the beauty in life. Never stop loving God. Never stop searching for truth.
In slowing down and searching for joy, we will soon find it if we remember that it is something that always exists.
So rejoice always.
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