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Rejoice

Rejoice

By: Juliet Constantine



Rejoice always. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
 

Today is such a beautiful day! Nothing will change it. Whatever happens, it is still a beautiful day. Thank you Lord. As I rise this morning, I am choosing to have a beautiful day, irrespective of what will happen. I am choosing to be positive and rejoice in the freedom God has given. And should this freedom be taken away, I will praise God, for the rest of my days.

I am learning day by day to speak in a positive language. Employing a positive attitude takes some doing but it’s quite refreshing. Remaining optimistic in the face of severe challenges is faith building and strengthening. Whatever comes my way, I am choosing to face it with God. With Him by my side, I do not need to worry or fret because I know He will see me through. And so I rejoice because I leave my burdens at His feet. He promised to carry them for me. I am free!!

Today is a beautiful day! I will have victories untold. Challenges will not get me down. They are opportunities in disguise! Disappointment – what disappointment? Disappointment is God’s appointment. So, I will rejoice because God has better things in store for me. He knows best. I am choosing my blessings now. I am choosing to have a blessed day now.

The Israelites, on their journey from Egypt, were excited about the adventure; but as the days prolong, anxiety replaced expectation. They started to be in want and missed the common things around them. Soon, in their discouragement, they felt that slavery was better than freedom. They would rather be whipped and have their fleshly posts than eat manna and be free! Instead of praising God for their freedom, they murmured and complain. We faced a similar experience today.

In the depressed economies of some countries, like Jamaica, many feel that independence from their mother country was a mistake and longed to return home, believing this will make their lives much better. Many wished the decision makers would sign them over to the great United States of America. Yes, many longed for a “Black Book” or a Green Card more than how they longed for Heaven. Why is this so? We do not realize that economic hardship is every where, and wherever we are, freedom is a state of mind, and we can still rejoice.

So, instead of murmuring or complaining, I will rejoice. People everywhere are experiencing hard times, but we can still rejoice. It doesn’t matter that your pantry is empty, or that your refrigerator holds only water – rejoice! If you have only a meal for the day, rejoice! If you can’t pay your bills, rejoice! In everything, give thanks and rejoice for this is God’s will concerning you. Don’t worry. God will work it out in His time. Just rejoice!!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder to employ a positive attitude in all situations, even when we do not understand. Please strengthen us as we choose to obey You. Keep us positive and hopeful in You and should we murmur or complain, please forgive us. Help us to trust when we cannot see. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.



Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)

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