I Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice evermore."
This is a simple command. But do we always rejoice? No we don't. If you are always rejoicing then you are a much better Christian than I am. I am not always rejoicing. I have times when I don't. I wish I could say that I always am.
I can say that suffering brings about rejoicing in the end. I was thinking about all the times of suffering that I've experienced and each time I've come out of them rejoicing.
Here are some examples....
***When I first got saved I was rejoicing as a result of suffering in that my marriage was headed for divorce. I suffered heartache during that time...but I rejoiced when I got saved and saw God work a miracle in my life and in my home.
***It was very hurtful when my husband pastored his first church and we faced members who did not support him as they should have and hurt him deeply. Then we were able to rejoice when God placed him in the next church he would pastor where the people loved him and supported him completely.
***My parents practically disowned me for over nine years after I witnessed to them as did...the same thing happened when I witnessed to my sister and brother. Those years were very difficult for me...but I have come out of that suffering rejoicing in that those doors of communication are open again and although my parents and my brother have not gotten saved yet...I know they will. My sister on the other hand has gotten saved and I say PRAISE THE LORD for that. We now enjoy wonderful fellowship on the phone and by instant message on the computer!! AMEN!!!
***My son Ronnie went out on the road singing and playing piano with a southern gospel group and saying in places we didn't agree with. He eventually came off the road and courted the young lady who is now his wife Jessica. We went through that difficult time and were in the end able to rejoice at what he learned and how he matured into the man he is today.
***We are now going through this trial with our youngest daughter but I will be rejoicing once we come through it. Am I rejoicing now? I'm trying to. We have faced many attacks recently by the enemy but I rejoice in that while those attacks are painful...God still blesses in so many ways!!
There have been other times that I've gone through hurtful times and end up rejoicing in the end. So what we need to do is just go ahead and rejoice now. After all....it is a command God gives us. We need to keep our focus on Him. Worship Him even when you don't feel like it. Think back on all the times you have been able to rejoice and just remember that God is faithful. We have so many reasons to rejoice...think on those things and rejoice. And if you just can't rejoice now....the time will come when you can.
6 comments:
I know that it is hard to rejoice while we are going through the bad times...but we can "Rejoice in the Lord"..even when things are hard...
thank you for this post...it is one we all need to hear...
blessings,
Mimi
Sis. Mimi...When we rejoice it makes it easier to deal with situations we are facing. So we really need to rejoice!!
What an encouraging and hope-filled post Julie! We may not always take joy in our circumstances, but we can rejoice in what the Lord is doing in and through those circumstances.
Blessings!
Sis. Mishel...That is right. It sure isn't easy to rejoice during those times though.
Good to remember. Our extended family has been through the ringer lately....it's good to remember to rejoice that He sees the whole picture and is faithful to complete the work that He started in us.
Sis. Karen...It is hard to see our loved ones suffer and it is just as hard to go through suffering ourselves. But we always come through and when we do we find ourselves rejoicing. That is what God wants us to do in the midst of our suffering as well. God is most certainly faithful...we only need to remember that!!
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