Rejoice always? That’s what Paul says in Philippians chapter 4, but can he be serious? How can I rejoice in the face of sickness, loneliness, or grief? How can I rejoice when I’m wrestling with an addiction or a besetting sin? How can anyone rejoice in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and when so many people are out of work? Maybe that’s how you feel today. And maybe you’re wary and weary of Christians who seem to be a bit naïve where it comes to the real problems in the real world.

But Paul is insistent, and he wasn’t any stranger to troubles, you know. After all, chapter 1 tells us that he wrote this letter from prison, probably in Rome, as the end of the book of Acts describes. And yet, along with Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34, he could say that we shouldn’t be anxious or worry about anything (Philippians 4:5).

In short, neither Jesus nor Paul believed that the ability to live a joyful life is limited by our outward circumstances. Instead, it is determined at least in part by our mindset, by the focus of our attention. In 4:8, Paul gives us the wise advice that we should set our minds only on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and excellent and praiseworthy. In other words, the music we listen to and the news we read and the shows we watch and the games we play can have a direct bearing on how much joy we have in life.

But it isn’t just what we see and hear that can make us joyful – it’s also what we do that matters. In 4:9, Paul reminds us that we must put all these good and right and true ideas into practice. In other words, if we do our part to change the circumstances around us, or to make things better for others, we shouldn’t be surprised if the result is more joy for ourselves.

But none of these good thoughts or actions will go very far if they aren’t joined to a real relationship with God. After all, the peace of God in 4:7 can only come from the God of peace in 4:9. And that’s why the first key to rejoicing in all circumstances, as Paul says in 4:6, is prayer. No matter what our problems are, instead of worrying about them or raging at the injustice of the world, we must take those things to the Lord in prayer. But we must combine our requests with thanksgiving for what God has already done for us. Keeping our present blessings in mind helps to put our circumstances into perspective.

And it also helps to remember the future blessings God has promised to us. After all, 4:5 says that the Lord is near in time – that He is coming soon. And it is only after His promised return that all the problems of our lives will truly be solved. Knowing that it is impossible to produce Heaven on Earth in the meantime will go a long way to reducing our frustration, and to helping us be satisfied with the blessings we currently enjoy.

But 4:5 has another, even more precious meaning – the Lord, in the Person of His Holy Spirit, is also near in space. In fact, He is living within all who trust in Him right now. So, while we wait for His return to make all things right, while we set our minds on pure and holy things, while we do our part to put things right, and while we pray and give thanks to God, we can experience the peace and the joy that can only come from the presence of God in our lives. And if the Spirit of Christ is in us, we can rejoice even today, even as Paul did in prison, and even as Jesus did as He went to the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.