From the desk of Pastor Ben
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.     (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) NIV

“Really, God?” I’ve wanted to ask . “Rejoice always?” Yet that’s what the verse says. Over 50 years of desperately seeking Jesus, I’ve learned to pray a lot, if not continually, and to find reasons to be grateful in even the most abysmal circumstances. Rejoicing was the last stronghold. How can I “feel joy or great delight” (as the dictionary puts it) in the face of the assorted mundane or massive trials we all face this side of heaven? Yet I continue to try — not in seeking joy but in seeking God. I think that’s the key to everything, really (Matthew 6:33).
I can hardly believe it myself, but as I’m writing this, I’m close to “rejoicing always,” something I was pretty sure was impossible. Right now, I’m in the middle a few different health issues — lung cancer and heart issues — and even though it’s a scary situation, I’m truly full of joy and peace.
Yes, my joy is fueled partly by the hope promised in Romans 8:28 and my own experience of Jesus making lemonade out of lemons. Mostly, I’m experiencing that inexplicable joy that defies explanation and is disconnected from circumstances. I wonder if this is a tiny taste of the joy we sense in Paul’s letters, which were written in prison or other hard places. Whatever it is, I really like it and pray that Jesus’ grace will let me linger here no matter what comes.

Faith Step:     Suspend your disbelief and set aside your resistance and praise Jesus for the very thing that’s bothering you, rejoicing intentionally rather than waiting for the elusive feeling.