“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice, let your moderation be known to all men” (Phil. 4:4).
Are you telling me that I am to rejoice despite all that has happened to me? Yes. But you don’t know what I’ve been going through. Rejoice! But you don’t know what they said about me. Rejoice! Yes, but look at my bankbook. Rejoice! Oh, but the doctor’s report is bad. Rejoice! God’s Word tells us to rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.
Then it says to let your moderation be known to all men. How? By deciding that you will not be moved by what you feel, see, or hear because the Lord is on your side. So be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.
You see, we can go to God regardless of what has happened in our lives and ask Him for direction; then afterwards, give Him honor and thanksgiving in advance for the answer. And God’s supernatural peace will garrison and mount guard over your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
God’s supernatural peace comes by changing how you think. He said whatever is good, pure, lovely, and of good report, if there is anything of virtue or anything to praise God about think on those things.
This should help you understand why you must stop meditating on your past unfulfilled dreams, failures, or what somebody said to you, about you, or did to you. You have to stop dwelling on how old you are or how young you are. Let it go because what God has for you in your future is so much better than what you had in the past.
The story of Paul and Barnabas gives us a good example of rejoicing in times of trouble. They were beaten and put in prison for casting a demon out of a woman. “Then at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God so much so that the other prisoners heard them. (You see, they didn’t murmur or complain instead they praised God) And suddenly there was a great earthquake which shook the foundation of the prison and everyone’s bands were loosed” (Acts 16:19).
God will loose you from your situation if you will praise Him. Forget about why this is happening to you, don’t worry about that. Just praise God and give Him thanks. For God has already given you the victory. Now rejoice! The victory is yours.
Scripture References: James 1:2-8; Acts 16:25-26
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).