One thing that should characterize our lives as followers of Jesus is the presence of abiding joy. Has that been your experience? Are you a joyful person? What is joy anyway? It’s not happiness. As my friend and pastor Brad Hales once said, "Happiness is a happening." Our happiness is often based on how our circumstances are going at any particular moment, but our circumstances continually change. Sometimes they lead us to celebrate; other times they lead us to grieve. We read in Matthew 5 that Jesus said “Blessed are those who mourn.” Can we be in mourning and still be joyful? Yes! Today, let’s listen to a passage together that can help us get a better understanding of what joy really is:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Phil. 4:4-8)

I really like Paul’s letter to the congregation at Philippi—it’s overflowing with inspiring insights! Paul tells the believers, “Always be full of joy in the Lord.” It’s interesting that this is presented as a command. Paul is telling them: "Hey you Philippians---always be full of joy in the Lord!" Notice that he doesn’t just say be full of joy; he qualifies it by adding the words, “in the Lord.” Why is that? Perhaps it’s because you and I are constantly trying to find joy in our circumstances. Paul was not finding joy in his circumstances; after all, he was chained up and writing from a prison cell, preceding his death. No, he was finding joy in the Lord. Paul gives us practical instruction. "Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."  You and I can do this, too. It isn’t some kind of Christian mind-trick; it’s a practical exercise. Fill your mind with good things—thankful thoughts of the good things God has done. Praise Him for the noble and wonderful Person He is. Meditate on these things and you can experience peace and joy in the midst of whatever your circumstances happen to be.

Today, you may be sad over a loss or you may be celebrating a victory. Either way, don’t let your circumstances and emotions tell you how to experience joy in your life. Be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!