Rejoice!

I don't know about where you're at, but right now where I live it's a beautifully crisp 58 degrees when it's normally 90! This seems to put everyone here in a better mood-- and I know I'm way more productive when I can dress in cute fall clothes and not sweat to death!

It just seems to be that whenever things are going well, or actually not bad for once, that it's easier to rejoice in the Lord! It's way easier to find joy in the circumstances you're in when the circumstances aren't hard or painful.

This is what the Word of God says, however:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:4-7

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." -Habakkuk 3:17-19

Yes-- it's way easier to rejoice in the Lord and praise Him when times are good. BUT in times that are hard and painful are the times that we can grow closer to God. We can get to know Him for the Comforter that He is, for the Strength He is, for the Provider He is, for the Justice He is, for the Mercy He is, for the Lover He is, for the Friend He is.

In all parts of the Bible we can find strong men and women of God that were put through the refiner's fire; through the testing of their faith produced perseverance and a stronger trust in the Lord. Are we going to see God in Heaven still smelling of smoke from the fire we were in, or we will be stronger, more refined, more like Him because of the trials we faced?

Let this be a challenge to you (and for me too!): The next time you face a trial, hardship, storm, tough time- whatever you want to call it- rejoice in the Lord. It may be an easier path to do so when times are great, but think about how much more worth it those growing pains will be if you actually grow closer to Him through it all! Find your strength in Him and trust that He has the circumstance under His control, regardless of how out of control you "feel".

Rejoice in knowing and believing that your Comforter, Healer, Strength, Provider, Justice, Mercy, Lover, and Friend is right there with you... always.