I love God’s Word, but there are parts of it that I wish weren’t in there. I deeply appreciate the Apostle Paul’s emphasis on joy in Philippians—something that is often missing in the lives of those who claim to have experienced the abundant life Jesus promised; however, I struggle with Paul’s message because he makes it clear that joy should be ours even amid the most difficult situations. It’s easy to have some form of what we might refer to as joy when things are going well, but it’s so easy when we’re getting battered from every side.
In Philippians 4:4, we read these words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” (ESV). Most of us have read or heard these words hundreds of times, and that increases the chances that you might read right over this admonition without giving it the weight it deserves.
I hope I’m not pointing out the obvious, but we’re told to “re-joice.” Another good way of stating this is “return to joy.” Paul reminds us to do this twice in just eleven words. Why? I think he emphasizes this so adamantly because we’re clearly prone to forget. Joy is an element of the fruit of the Spirit, so it should be an ever-present reality in our lives, but if we’re honest, we need to acknowledge that this trait is often elusive. Why?
The simple answer is that life happens. The cares of life can be overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean we’re destined to live a joyless life. After all, it’s important to keep in mind that Paul is writing to the Philippian church from prison. It would have been easy for Paul to feel that his ministry to take the gospel to the Gentiles was being thwarted by his imprisonment. Still, he had such a high view of God’s sovereign care of his children that he was able to say with confidence that even these troubles would work out for God’s glory.
It’s also important to keep in mind Paul’s greatest goal when we’re facing difficult times. Though Paul wanted to see the gospel spread to all people (see Romans 15:20), his greatest goal was to know Christ. Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings…” (Phil. 3:10). So, no matter what you are facing today, remember that God wants to use it for his glory and your good. And, in this, you can find joy.
