Many people—you may be one of them—incorrectly believe that the act of rejoicing (defined as a verb, to show great joy) is born from a person’s inner joy: they rejoice because they have joy. In fact, just the opposite is true.

Rejoicing isn’t a by-product of joy. Joy is a by-product of rejoicing. The act of rejoicing produces joy (defined as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness).

Psalm 118:24 says “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Notice that the choice to rejoice (and it is a choice) wasn’t qualified by a any feelings. It was simple a decision to demonstrate joy. Also notice that the gladness comes after the rejoicing. Often the passage is quoted “…I will rejoice and be glad in it.” That’s a misquote, it’s “let us” not “I will” but the misquote serves to make a point that rejoicing is a volitional act of your will. It’s a decision to act in a manner that demonstrates joy without regard to the presence or absence of the feeling of joy.

Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say it, rejoice!” There is no qualifier on when or why or if we should rejoice, only the imperative to  do it. Rejoice! We don’t rejoice based on feelings. We simply choose to act in a rejoicing manner.

The behavior of rejoicing begins to develop a spirit of joy within us. If you want to increase in joy, begin rejoicing.

Get happy!

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Next up: The Behavior of Rejoicing. How do I do it?

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. -Goeth

Click on the picture so it enlarges then look carefully at the “front porch” of this church. Both sides of the Narthex (a word used just to make you high church folks comfy) look like this. Don’t you love it?

My friend Jeff Eaton pastors HOPE Church in Frankfort, Kentucky. If you’ll visit, he’ll invite you to “sit a spell.”

I love this. If I built a church in a non-urban (or maybe even urban)  temperate climate setting, this is a feature I’d want to include.

What would it do for you if your church had a “sit a spell” approach to relationships? God does.

Which came first, the handicapped hang tag, or the driving ability?

Are you ever misunderstood, or worse, attacked for how you do your work, your approach to life, the way you do what you do to make the difference in the world that God placed you here to make. Tony Morgan brought perspective to that when he recently wrote “Time and truth go hand in hand.”

Give it time. Let all the cards play out. Don’t be hasty to respond (like I often am). Remember, Isaiah 54:16-17 says “…no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God’s servants can expect. God’s decree.”