Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians 5:16
Sounds simple right? Is Paul asking us to be happy always? Happiness implies contentment and rejoicing is showing joy and even jubilation. They do not mean the exact same thing, because as Christians those times we experience loss, tragedy, and those times when we feel the effects of sin that is in the world, are the very times that Jesus asks us to still hang in and be "joyful' . Not so easy as most of us know. Where do we start learning how to be truly joyful?
Being grateful is the best place to begin. If it means being grateful for the very air you breathe, or the sunshine or even the rain, if we recognize God's hand in the natural surroundings and in the essence of who we are as humans, I hope we can begin to be joyful and even content in that we are adopted children of a Heaenly Loving Father who sent His Son to show us all about rejoicing and loving. "Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices" O Holy Night
