Rejoice Always

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  “Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Have you ever been overwhelmed with joy?  Last year I attended the Ohio State-Penn State football game in “Happy Valley.”  It was a perfect day, the people were great, and the game was amazing!  It came down to the final play and in the end the team I was cheering for (Ohio State) prevailed.  I remember running out of the stadium that night with the overwhelming feeling of joy! 

I've often thought, wouldn't it be nice to live in a continual state of joy like that? In Galatians 5, we see that joy is a byproduct of God's Spirit working in our lives. It is not an emotional reaction to circumstances but a posture of our hearts. God's design is for us to live in a way where our deep satisfaction and purpose come out of a response to God's grace, not our circumstances.   It is easy to get trapped in the rut of bouncing from circumstance to circumstance in order to find happiness or contentment. But there is a better way!

Have you ever felt like you were chasing a promise of joy that you can never attain?  Have you found yourself bouncing from one experience to another searching for a fleeting happiness or an escape from the stresses of the day?

Take a few moments to pause and read 1 Thessalonians 5.  Cultivate an environment where joy can grow regardless of the ups and downs of life. 

God Bless,

Mike