Rejoice in the Lord Always

Last week we went through the topic of complaining and discussed it together.  I shared two verses from Philippians.  The first says to do everything without complaining so that we may become blameless (Philippians 2:14-15).  But now I want to move on to specifically address the second verse.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  - Philippians 4:4

Some of my family and I are watching The Passion of the Christ for the first time  (full review to come).  The movie portrays Jesus' death very realistically.  Yes, it's gory...but last night as I lay in bed, I started to see more of what Love meant.

Jesus went through so much for us.  He literally was torn apart through the worst torture.  Isaiah wrote that, "His visage was marred more than any man."  (Isaiah 52:14)  Jesus allowed men to spit in His face, and He experienced tremendous shame.  Honor was a very big deal in that time, and He let go of everything to become the lowest of the low all because of Love.
That Love is amazing.  It's beyond imagination, and we can never completely grasp it.
I know that life can be difficult.  I know that some of you have messed-up homes, busy schedules, and broken hearts.  But because of Love, we still have a reason to rejoice.
One friend commented on last week's post and suggested that, "gratitude is the key to overcoming complaining. Whenever we have thoughts or words of complaint we need to turn it around and be grateful!"
The book of Psalms is full of disaster, trial, persecution, and more.  But the psalmist ends with praise.  In the storms, he sees beauty.  In the brokenness, he sees hope.
This week I want to put rejoicing into practice.  If we can combat complaining with gratitude, then why would we hold onto negativity?
Let's start by sharing how God has been strong in your life.  What blessings has He brought your way?  How has He used others to encourage and inspire you?  And how are you going to rejoice and praise Him in return?
And then take a Psalm and make it your own prayer of praise to God.  Thank Him for His goodness and inspire to be a pen in His hand so He can write your life story.  Dance or sing or write or laugh - let's practice rejoicing!

Bless the Lord, O my soul;  And all that is within me, bless His holy name! - Psalm 103:1