Rejoice

Rejoice always..

1Thessalonians 5:16

One of the shortest verses in the Bible. 2 words. Also one of the most difficult. How can one rejoice always? Surely it is unreasonable? What happens if you feel you have nothing to rejoice about? Isn't St Paul being cruel? How can you tell a grieving parent that has just lost a child to rejoice? 

You don't. But at the same time, I think Paul understands human nature better than 99% of us. In looking for things to be happy about, we find happiness. Today I may have only 1 yen in my pocket, I may not have any paid work this month, but hey, the sun 🌞 is still shining, & God is still good, all the time. The suicide rate in this country is still over 20,000 and going up. For the sake of your own well being, seek joy in Christ, not in alcohol, nice food, sex, power, wealth, etc. Seeking worldly pleasures doesn't always work. Heck, that often doesn't work. How many rich people kill themselves? More than one.