Philippians chapter 3 begins: “Whatever happens, dear friends, be glad in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you this and it is good for you to hear it again and again.” (TLB) 

Whatever happens…rejoice in the Lord. Really? Whatever happens? 

Before you dismiss Paul’s words, keep in mind that when he wrote them, he was in prison! Yet even there he lived a life of unconquerable joy. And so can you…whatever your circumstances. 

How does one rejoice in the Lord always?

One way to begin is to note that it doesn’t say, “Be happy always.” 

Happiness is an emotion that is dependent upon your circumstances.  

Joy is a decision that is independent of your circumstances.  Joy has been called “the defiant nevertheless.” 

What does a joyful spirit look like?

• A joyful spirit is not dependent upon outward circumstances but on an upward focus. 

It’s born of an unshakable conviction that God is too good to be unkind, too powerful to be thwarted, and too deep to explain himself. When the bottom falls out, the question to ask is not, “why?”, but “what?” “What do you want me to learn from this?” 

• A joyful spirit in your struggle will have greater impact than any words spoken out of strength.

Joy in the midst of suffering is a more powerful sermon than any religious rhetoric.

• A joyful spirit takes life and trusts God one day at a time.  

The psalmist said: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24) Yesterday is past and tomorrow hasn’t’ happened yet. All we have is today. So choose joy now. 

Text: Philippians 3:1; 4:4; Psalm 137; Habakkuk 3:17-19

Originally recorded on October 19, 2008, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN