The Apostle Paul’s command here to rejoice can always be obeyed – even in the midst of conflict, adversity, and deprivation – that’s because joy doesn’t depend on favorable circumstances, but in the Lord. In Matthew 5:12 Jesus also exhorted us to, “Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven…” When our focus is on our reward we will receive in the hereafter not on what’s happening to us in the here and now, we can truly have joy and thanksgiving regardless of what we’re currently going through. That’s because a strong faith in God, filled with hope & trust, can transform any fear into rejoicing…anxiety into gladness…and worry into thanksgiving.
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