REJOICE ‘’The best response in all situations.’’

‘’Blessed are you when men shall revile you, persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and exceedingly be glad; for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you Mat 5:11-12.’’ This being one of the teachings Jesus taught on the sermon of the mount which is popularly known as the beatitudes is of very essence to a Christian for one; it forms part of the doctrine of Jesus and secondly; It is a prophecy in itself that was fulfilled in the past, to the prophets, in the life of Jesus and his disciples and it is also prophesied/promised to us too as his followers.

James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations for the trying of our faith worketh patience which perfects us to the level of wanting nothing, James 1;2-4. In trials and persecutions, we are called to rejoice and approach them with joy for they are for our good here on earth and in the life to come there is a reward for all that will overcome.

Someone once said, being a Christian doesn’t change the circumstances we face but it changes how we approach those circumstances. There is no better way than to face them the bible way. I have searched through scriptures and apart from our lord Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul is among others who stand out in their walk with Jesus and in setting an example for us to imitate as they imitated Jesus. As Paul was writing to the Corinthians in chapter 6:10; he puts it very clearly that situations can dictate a sorrowful mood but we should be always rejoicing, one can be as poor as he was yet make many rich or even have nothing and yet possess  everything, having known the promise we have and who we are coheir with.

Never allow outside circumstances determine your inside heart conditions. Be it good or bad news, don’t let it get mastery over how sorrowful or joyful you are but in all circumstances rejoice and be joyful for in this state you will be manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit and also you will be able to draw water from the wells of salvation. The bible makes it clear that with joy we draw water from the wells of salvation Isaiah 12:3 and we need this living water all the time not when we are happy and when the situations change, we cut short that flow of water.

Paul in another instance, full and moved by the Holy Ghost teaches something that the world would not teach us; 2 Corinthians 12:10.he says that he takes pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ sake; for when he is weak then he is strong . God called us when we were very impure, imperfect and nor upright but he didn’t call us to remain that way but to daily work on us to perfection, holy and upright just as He is.

This isn’t an easy process, but it is necessary just as for gold needeth the refinery process for it to be pure we too can’t escape persecution, infirmities, reproaches and everything else that the lord uses to refine and perfect us as we continue knowing him. Both believers and non-believers undergo this but not all undergo  it for Christ but for us who do, have a great reward in heaven.

Either way, knowing all this will come, it is better to be ready for the process and strive to enjoy it by rejoicing and gladly focusing on the goal for it pays nothing to be sorrowful in this necessary time. But one thing am sure of is that a joyful heart pays, for one it will be to you as medicine proverbs 17:22 and two it draws the anointing that rested on Jesus Christ, the anointing of joy which placed him above all his companions Hebrews 1:9, it is very possible for the same to rest upon you too…

Selah.