Paul always looked for the hidden blessing in every trial. Have you been complaining about your situation? Grumbling short-circuits faith, but joy revives it.
Are you trapped in a prison of despair, doubt or anxiety? Learn to release the power of praise. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of the Bible’s most unique books. Some scholars call it "the epistle of joy" because the word "joy" or "rejoice" appear in it 16 times. Yet what is amazing is that this letter about Christian joy was written from a prison cell!
While Paul was under the watchful eye of Roman guards, bound in chains, he wrote some of the most uplifting spiritual words ever penned.
In the letter’s four short chapters the author continually exhorts us to praise God no matter how dark our circumstances are. He writes: "I will rejoice" (1: 18, NASB), "I rejoice and share my joy with you all" (2: 17), "I urge you, rejoice in the same way" (2: 18), "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord" (3: 1) and "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (4: 4).
In the letter’s four short chapters the author continually exhorts us to praise God no matter how dark our circumstances are. He writes: "I will rejoice" (1: 18, NASB), "I rejoice and share my joy with you all" (2: 17), "I urge you, rejoice in the same way" (2: 18), "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord" (3: 1) and "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (4: 4).
Like a broken record, Paul hammers the same theme over and over and over. REJOICE! The word "rejoice" actually means "to re-joy." It’s like a reset button on a computer.
When any type of electronic equipment goes out of whack, a reset button will get it back online. That is what happens when we rejoice: The joy we’ve lost is restored and our feeble faith rises again.
When any type of electronic equipment goes out of whack, a reset button will get it back online. That is what happens when we rejoice: The joy we’ve lost is restored and our feeble faith rises again.
ACTION STEP: Get yourself a "RESET" this morning and get your praise on. Then, take a praise break at lunch, dinner and bedtime. You will have a better day.
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