Is your life full of pain and you have lost your joy a long time ago? We care and want to pray for you.
While a prisoner in Rome, Paul wrote the Philippians a letter that sounds like a shout of victory. Its theme is joy and rejoicing in the Lord.
Paul knew the secret of victory over anxiety and depression. After telling the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always, he advised them not to worry about anything, but to bring everything in prayer to the Lord with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Thus, instead of being worried and depressed, the Christian would have God’s peace (4:7).
Paul was well acquainted with victory through rejoicing in the Lord. When he and Silas were evangelizing in Philippi, they were arrested, beaten, and imprisoned.
In chains in the rat-infested dungeon, they prayed and sang praises to the Lord. Suddenly an earthquake shook the prison’s foundations. The doors flew open; the prisoners were loosed from their shackles.
Similarly, we are loosed from the shackles of depression, anxiety, fears, and worries as we pray and rejoice in the Lord. For how can the flesh keep us down when we are up in the Spirit?
If you rejoice in the Lord every morning, think what a difference it would make in your life. Practice this when you awaken. Tell the Lord you love Him. Then thank and praise Him for every blessing you can think of. Thank Him for who He is. Rejoicing in the Lord will soon be a habit.
The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say I again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Heavenly Father,
When rejoicing feels foreign in my circumstances I ask that Your Holy Spirit would remind me to choose thankfulness. Help me to focus on who You are and on Your strength and might and wisdom that is available to me. Today I WILL rejoice in You, my God and my Savior. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Questions: What difficult circumstances are keeping you from rejoicing in the Lord today? How can you turn from feeling downhearted to rejoicing even though the circumstances have not changed?
About the Author Dr Muriel Larson
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Package, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
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January 4th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Goood Morning,
Thank you for the devotional. Perfect timing, as usual. I always go back and think of Paul and most of all Jesus who had no where to lay his head. Worry,Depression and Anxiety are like rocking chairs…they go back and forth and get you nowhere. I cling to the verses, and most of all Jesus as, with menopause and other issues, life gets a little …ouchy. I think the wold is chained to Power and Money, as they walk hand in hand. The YOKE..is off of our backs..being in jail and ministring..gifts from the Lord. Israel Oh Israel!! Rejoice in the name of Jesus. In my sadness and rejections, I know you Father are there.
May your New Year be unchained and your load be light as the Lord took it all on the cross.
In Jesus name we pray, ToniG
January 4th, 2009 at 5:52 am
This is the first morning in a long time that I actually feel the touch of the Holy Spirit & I wept & rejoiced ! Time are really getting rough for me as there are some changes going on in my life. I realized that I was probably running short on JOY in the Spirit. The mon=ment I read this devotional, I broke down & wept & realized that I cannot function without waking up with God the Father !! Trusting in His ability to wake up my Spirit, & put Him first every day ! Thankd you for a fresh start !!
January 4th, 2009 at 6:06 am
I get tired of devotionals that turn God into a slot machine. Put in a few prayers and pull the handle and out comes joy. I pray, and I ask Him but sometimes He says “no” or “wait” so for anybody out there who is in the same suituation as I am I want to encourage you that it happens to me also, but I still keep praying.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Hahaha! Boy did I ever need this reminder to be thankful and joyful. We are on day 4 of a housewide bout of stomach flu and I had just finished 30 minutes of cleaning vomit (and having just a little pity party too for myself) when I sat down to read the devotional. Thanks for snapping me out of it with your reminder of the big picture.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Tho I experience a lot of joy in my life, I must admit I am quite lonely since retiring. I know it is up to me to get out, volunteer for things, etc. in order to meet new people. Until some health issues are behind me, I can’t commit.
I so often think that surely the Lord can use me in some way…but I don’t know where to look or begin.
I do rejoice in Him….as He has so blessed me and my family. There has been so much healing and restoration in relationships this past year….and how I praise Him! Yesterday as I was reflecting on my blessings and praying….a phrase kept coming to mine….”More of Him and less of me” Maybe I am to spend time alone for a while….but sometimes I so miss the human touch of a friend and someone to pray and talk about spiritual things. I know there is a time for everything…and this may be my season to be quiet and spend with the Lord…..or a time I am to spend with my husband, praying and seeking Him as a couple. I pray I can accept that and know there is a purpose in it.
I do know tho, that even tho I feel very lonely at times, my joy is still very present. When I think on the Lord and all He has done in my life, I am amazed. He has been so good to me…so faithful ..even when I haven’t been. His grace has been more than sufficient in my life. The older I grow, the more I love Him….
January 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Excellent Word today Dr. Muriel. Taking our eyes off ourselves and focusing on the Lord with thankful hearts. Thanks so much for this reminder that will be so helpful to so many today. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for redirecting my focus today, thank you that I can make a choice to rejoice in you Jesus through any situation I might be facing today. I pray Lord that each one reading this today would be encouraged and see beyond the challenges we face today and rejoice in you. In the might name of Jesus, Amen.
Have a beautiful spirit filled day everyone, Love, Donna
January 4th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
In response to Michael (above). My experience with joy began when I became a believer in Christ. When I accepted that Christ died for my sins and through Him I have eternal life, it gave me joy. We all get down sometimes. When this happens, I reflect on God’s goodness…and remember the best is yet to come. I often meditate on God’s word from a “GOD’S PROMISES” book. There is a section on Joy taken from THE BIBLE. Paul, in spite of his suffering, rejoiced. When you accept Jesus (John 3:16) you are a child of God…this is reason enough to rejoice. If you have Christ in your heart but don’t feel the joy… then try praising the Lord, as the devotion writer suggests above, and you will receive joy!! Praying God will remove any circumstances from your heart that are preventing you from receiving His joy! God bless you!!
January 5th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Dear Sisters–I appreciate all your good comments about my article. I know by sending them you are helping each other too. And Michael, a word to you: Rejoicing in the Lord is not making God a slot machine. Just as Paul found that rejoicing in the Lord worked, I did too–in spite of all the rough trials I went through. Rejoicing in the Lord and walking with Him helped me rise above everything and become fruitful for the Lord’s glory.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
i thank The Lord for all that He has given me and done for me