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Introduction

Somebody has said that the exhortation to the Thessalonian church to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances,” (1 Thess 5:16-18) is practically impossible. It would have been more practical if Paul had written, “Rejoice a lot, pray often as you can and try to be thankful.” For it is easier to say, “I’ll try” than saying, “I’ll do it.” Life is tough and it is even harder as a faithful Christian. Therefore we wonder if Paul really believed his words to be practical or if he did not actually mean what he wrote and was merely making a rhetorical statement.
This is especially true when we consider Paul’s own life. He experienced much pain and suffering. In fact, Paul is not writing to the Thessalonians from the comforts of a villa or an apartment. He is very likely writing this while making tents for his livelihood, as he works alongside Priscilla and Aquila. He surely would not have been happy all the time. And neither was Jesus! We read of our Lord Jesus being angry, upset, grieving, and even suffering on the cross. If this happened to Jesus, then it will happen to all his disciples as well (Jn 15:20). Even a peek into the lives of several missionaries and martyrs is sufficient to see that they endured suffering, sickness, pain, and death. How could any of them, from Jesus to His disciples, “rejoice always” under such circumstances?
Or have we perhaps misunderstood what it means “to rejoice”?

Life is tough and it is even harder as a faithful Christian.

Understanding ‘Joy’

Paul exhorts the Philippian church saying, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me,” (Phil 2:17-18). We see from Paul’s own words that “to rejoice” is not about laughing and smiling irrespective of the situation. Nor is rejoicing dependent on good circumstances, or at least a bad one getting better. On the contrary, because we live in a fallen world, we will experience sorrow and pain leading to tears. And our circumstances are unlikely to get better simply because the world hates God and His people. “To rejoice” does not require us to deny our feelings or ignore our circumstances; Paul himself certainly does neither. That much is evident in what Paul writes, especially considering that he writes to the Philippian church while himself being imprisoned.
Yet, he says later in the letter, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe,” (Phil 3:1). And he reiterates it a third time for good measure saying, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). Sufficient to say that when Paul urges to “rejoice always”, he is not speaking about having a happy physical expression all the time nor hoping for happy circumstances of life to impart joy. Instead, he is saying that ‘joy’ is a disposition of the Christian heart that is appropriate at all times in all circumstances.
But how is this possible, especially, in the midst of challenges of life that include survival? This is where a shift in our perspective of joy is required; joy is not dependent on our circumstance but on the fact that God is at work in our lives.

Shifting Perspectives

Contrary to what politicians claim or some songs may express, this world is unlikely to become a better place. And if we choose to rejoice only when our circumstances are favorable, then the opportunity to rejoice would barely arise. For when we consider the context of the Thessalonians, Paul was writing to those who were being dragged out of their homes and persecuted for their faith. To them, he gives the exhortation to rejoice.
We ourselves live in a world where death has spread (Rom 5:12) and, therefore, is under a curse, suffering for the defilement of the lawbreaking inhabitants (Is 24:5-6). Hence the Bible puts joy in perspective showing to us that God is using our sufferings and circumstances to perfect us and make us mature in Him (Rom 5:3-5). They are an inescapable component of carrying the cross, as Jesus said. Therefore, our joy is not in our circumstances. Rather, our joy is in the fact that God is at work in our life through our trials. That is why even James exhorts the church to “count it all joy” when meeting various trials for God is producing fruit in our lives out of it (Jas 1:2-4).
But our joy is not simply a result of God working in our lives. Rather, it stems from what Jesus has done for us.

Joy-Producing Work (of Jesus)

Once our perspective on joy is shifted from our circumstance to God’s work, seeing what Jesus has done for us, the joy in our hearts bears the fruit of peace.

When we consider verses such as Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 9:26, 2:17, and 1 John 4:10, we have a reason to rejoice. Jesus has died for our sins and has reunited our broken hearts with God forever. When we receive this gift, we stand justified before a holy and just God; a blessing that we could have never attained for ourselves by our efforts. Therefore, failing to rejoice in what Christ has done for us is tantamount to unbelief.
And if unbelief rules our lives, there is no reason for rejoicing. In fact, unbelief is also a cause for our habitual sins and troubles. Unbelief likens us to the pagans and heathens of this world who attempt to find joy through advertisements of selfishness, arrogance, and pride. But Isaiah calls us to “look to Him and be saved,” (Is 45:22) for our joy rests on what Jesus has done. We “rejoice with joy” for we will obtain the outcome of our faith in Jesus—“the salvation of our souls” (1 Pet 1:8-9; c.f. vv 6-9).

Peace-Producing Joy

Once our perspective on joy is shifted from our circumstance to God’s work, seeing what Jesus has done for us, the joy in our hearts bears the fruit of peace.
Peace is our state of mind where we do not live in anxiety over the various circumstances of our lives. Instead, we rest in God’s sovereignty over our lives, trusting that He knows about us more than we know about ourselves. So we rest, not just in mind, but also physically. Though we will work hard to be fruitful stewards of everything God has entrusted to us, we will not sell ourselves as slaves to work because of our selfishness and worldly craving.
Our joy will not be tied to the world or the things of the world. Rather, we will be joyful because we know that whatever happens in our lives, it is according to God’s knowledge, for our good, to make us more like Jesus (Rom 8:28-29), the One whose work imparts joy to us.

Conclusion

Rejoice always “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:18b). The very God who confirms our justification wants us to rejoice for such is the assurance of our future with Him. We need to rise above the standard of joy people have set for themselves, and live with true joy because of the assurance we have, not in our circumstances, but in God’s saving grace given to us in Christ Jesus.