Do you struggle to rejoice? Does the command in Philippians 4:4 make you wince?
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
I certainly have days when it’s hard to be full of joy. Hard to rejoice in anything.
And what is rejoicing anyway?
I looked up the word rejoice in my Greek dictionary and found that it comes from the word chairo.
It carries the idea of being glad about something. It is the picture of a person who is euphoric over something that has happened. Other words to describe chairo would be overjoyed, elated, ecstatic, exhilarated, thrilled, jubilant, or even rapturous. (from Sparkling Gems From the Greek, p. 682)
When I read that I asked myself–when was the last time I was purely ecstatic about God? When did I feel thrilled in God’s presence?
I think it’s been too long.
But perhaps it’s because I keep looking for joy in other things. I expect to find it in success. Or friendship.
I wait for joy to happen when everything goes according to my plan.
And because that isn’t very likely, joy remains elusive.
Perhaps I should be glad that I can’t always find joy in something other than Jesus. Because then in my desperation, I’m forced to look to the only reliable Source of joy–my Savior.
God doesn’t tell us to be euphoric over success, or achievement, or even cute shoes because none of those are lasting.
God asks to be elated in Him.
Next step: Have you struggled to rejoice this week? Take all of your disappointments to God. Then rejoice that He hears your prayers and cares about your problems–big and small.