For many of us, this life is filled with sorrow and despair. Most of us have lost loved ones, suffered broken relationships, and gone through true tragedies. How do we rejoice in this sorrow, and how do we feel that joy genuinely amid that despair?
Joy and sorrow can coexist, but it is a hard place to get to. When Paul was in prison writing to the church of Philippi, he told them to “ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). He tells us to rejoice in the Lord because that is something we as Christians can always take joy in no matter what we are going through.
How do we rejoice when we are in sorrow, and how do we find that joy genuinely? Dive into Philippians 4:4 with us in the following blog post. Click To TweetPhilippians 4:4 – The Words Of A Prisoner
Let’s go over some context of the verse. When Paul wrote this, we know that he was in prison for sharing the gospel, and it was likely he was facing execution. Needless to say, that is some pretty awful circumstances to be in.
Most people would not be so uplifting or encouraging in this situation. Instead, he is telling the church of Philippi to stay joyful in the middle of the sorrow they must have been experiencing at Paul’s arrest.
So how does Paul say we should keep rejoicing with joy during pain?
Joy in the Lord
Paul says to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” How do we do that though? And how do we take joy genuinely while not undermining the sorrow we feel for what we are going through? A big part of finding joy is recognizing that God will care for you through everything.
Matthew 6:28-30 says, “And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”
The key is trusting the Lord through your trials.
How to Put it into Practice
Putting this into practice can look different for everyone. For some of us, it means journaling our thoughts and feelings out so we can better process what is happening, and for others, it means doing something cathartic like exercise or chores.
At the end of the day, it still comes down to waiting and trusting that the Lord loves you, and His love will provide you with joy outside of what is happening in your life.
Rejoice in the Lord
Joy and sorrow are hard to have at the same time, but it is possible with the comfort the Lord gives us in our salvation through His Son. Regardless, Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always so that is what we will do.
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