Philippians 4:4, Colossians 3:15-17
In this short video I cover three ways to find joy and thankfulness even when life is hard and not going that well.
Throughout the Bible we are told to “rejoice always” (Philippians 4:4) and to be thankful (Colossians 3:15-17). But how are we supposed to be thankful and rejoice when life is sad and painful?
God does not tell us to rejoice in our circumstances always. He tells us to rejoice in him always. Internal joy cannot be sustained by our external circumstances. Our joy and gratitude must ultimately be rooted in God, for he alone is always stable.
Whatever you give the power to make you joyful or thankful you also give the power to make you sad and ungrateful. God alone should be trusted with our hearts because he alone will never let us down. We can find joy in other people and this life, but not ultimately. God must be the true and foundational reasons for our joy and thankfulness.
For more on this topic, read my article on Desiring God: Is It Sin to Be Sad?
For a deep study on happiness, read my book, Intertwined: Our Happiness Is Tied to God’s Glory.