1 Thessalonians 5 - Be Joyful Always

I love this time of year, a time when people (in general) are a little kinder, more gentle, and forgiving, and joyous. The upbeat Christmas shows are on TV, people believe in miracles, hope surrounds us, and our thoughts turn toward our fellow humans. Giving abounds, to one another and the needy, our hearts go out to those in trouble, and there is more tolerance of one another: Someone needs clothes, food, shelter, the general reply is to give it to them. Someone cuts you off in traffic, “Merry Christmas”. Someone is negative or cranky, the reply comes “don’t be a scrooge”.

However, shoot forward three months and its: Someone needs food, then they need a job. Someone cuts you off in traffic, they better have life insurance, ‘cause I’m gonna kill them. Someone is negative or cranky and we join right in with their mood, misery loves company.

Do you see the change? Why is that? I believe it’s because we stop trying to focus on the good and go back to the negative. We take our focus away from God and let the negativity consume our thoughts and lives. If it can be better around the holidays, then it can be done all year round, as Paul told us to be in verse 16, “Be joyful always”. Not sometimes, or when you feel like it, or when someone is good to you, but “always”.

“But that’s impossible”, you might say. Yes it is humanly impossible to be joyful always, but we are not limited to human possibilities. For God, being joyful always is no problem and if we keep our focus on Him, it will become easier for us. “But you don’t understand, I have (financial, health, relationship, etc.) problems. How can I be joyful?” I do understand and sympathize, but even better God understands and provides us with this, Philippians 4:6-7, (6) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When the world attacks to steal our joy, remember to take all things to God in prayer, leave our worries with Him, and fill our lives with His peace. By doing that, joy is a given. Besides, regardless of what happens here on earth, it’s temporary, for one day we will be with our Lord and Savior in Heaven forever! That is the “reason for the season”, Christ Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again, all so that we may be forgiven of our sins and have everlasting life! I can’t think of a better thing to be joyous about.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal savior, then please act now before it’s too late. Come know the constant joy of not having to fear death and the peace of God, contact me and I’ll show you how. God bless and keep you all and Merry Christmas!