Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  (Philippians 4:4 ESV)

Rejoice in the time of trial, in pain, in frustration and anger, in loneliness and despair; not because of those things but because of who God is in the midst of hardships and trials.  The very fact that he IS is reason enough to rejoice; but the fact that he is with us to strengthen, bring peace and calm to the very core of our being should cause us to rejoice.  We are never alone no matter how alone we feel; in sickness, pain or loss, we are never alone.  This is not some pie-in-the-sky platitude, a pipe dream   God's presence is real and is closer than our very breath.  If you doubt, ask him to make you aware of his presence, to let you know his peace that passes all understanding - the peace that doesn't depend on circumstances; or ask him to fill you with his joy that is not evidence of your happiness but evidence of the very nature of the God who loves you.

Indeed, life is hard and is often unfair; that's the nature and result of living in this fallen world and often the consequences of our own wrong choices and sin.Those are the very things that can separate us from God. But God's word tells us to draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).  It's God's own desire to be close to us, in relationship with us; we are the ones that walk away.  God's grace, his love puts the desire in our hearts to reach out to him.

Rejoice that we are creatures of the Creator God who is always seeking the one who is lost, calling out our name, beckoning us to draw near, to seek him.  Rejoice that instead of facing hardships alone and without hope, we can trust in God who is mighty to save, who works in all things to accomplish his purposes for our good.  Rejoice that we are created for eternity, not bound to this limited span of time where there are tears and disease; but, instead, look forward to the new creation, restored to God's perfect plan where there will be no more tears, no pain and sickness, no death.  Rejoice that we will worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and with all creation sing, "Holy, holy, holy" before the throne of the Most High God.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7 The Message)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)