“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Joy isn’t a feeling that simply lands on us — it’s a choice we make every day. Paul wrote these words while sitting in a dark, cold prison cell. Yet instead of despair, his heart overflowed with joy. He didn’t rejoice because of his situation; he rejoiced in spite of it.
That’s the power of joy rooted in God rather than circumstance.
Think about this: You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control your response. You can’t decide the weather, but you can choose whether to carry an umbrella or dance in the rain. That’s what Paul did — he decided to dance.
I remember a time when it felt like everything was falling apart — literally. My car window had collapsed into the door, and because it was an older model, replacement parts were almost impossible to find. I searched everywhere, but no one could fix it. While waiting for a promised part, I improvised by taping a large black garbage bag over the window.
Looking back, I smile. Some people were embarrassed for me, but I knew it was temporary. In that moment, I made a choice — a choice not to worry, not to let embarrassment take over, and not to throw myself a pity party. I chose patience, perspective, and faith instead.
Life often feels like that old car window — things break, plans fail, and we don’t have all the resources we wish we had. But joy isn’t found in circumstances; it’s found in the choices we make in the middle of them. I could have sulked or panicked, but I chose to trust that God had a solution coming. And He did.
That’s what choosing joy looks like. It’s not pretending everything’s fine — it’s declaring that God is still good even when life isn’t.
When we choose joy, we’re not ignoring pain; we’re inviting peace. We’re saying, “Lord, You are greater than this moment.” Joy is a spiritual act of resistance — a way of standing firm when everything else shakes.
Introspection:
- What “broken windows” in your life are testing your patience or faith right now?
- How can you choose trust, perspective, or joy instead of worry? Seek God’s guidance.
Prayer
Lord, help me to choose joy and trust even when life feels messy or inconvenient. Teach me to rely on You, knowing that temporary challenges cannot steal the peace and hope I have in You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 16:11; John 15:11
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 120; Hebrews 8; Ezekiel 13; Ezekiel 14; Ezekiel 15