Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
What are some things you do every week? What are some things you do every day? What are some things you do every moment? There are a lot of things we do regularly or even daily but the list of things we do always is short. When we think about things we could do always, joy and gratitude may not immediately come to mind. This feels difficult because we need something to be joyful and thankful for. Depending on the stress we are carrying or the frustration we are facing, we are often driven by our feelings. The highs and lows of life have us riding the waves of our emotions. Thankfully, there is something bigger than our circumstances as the source of true joy. There is something greater than present hardship that leads us to gratitude.
In Colossians 1:15-16, Paul described Jesus this way: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” When He is our Lord and our Life we have everlasting joy and a reason to be grateful in every moment. There is no situation that can take Him away from us or any challenge that can keep us from the joy that is available in Him. In Jesus, we can rejoice always. Because we are His, we have a reason to be thankful at every moment.
- How is it possible to rejoice even in hardship? What has been your experience with this?
- Who has been an example of joy in Christ to you?
- Pray and ask God to fill you with ongoing joy and gratitude in Him.
