The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 60
Joy Conquers Anxiety
Rejoice evermore.
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4
In the midst of deep despair in my life from a child, I have found that music makes me happy. However, I realized that happiness didn’t last too long before I was sad again. Then I found a way to be happy longer and that was by singing. I sang all the time. At first, I was afraid because I was criticized but I continued to sing. It was my only way of drowning the negative emotions I experienced. After a while, I began to sing to the top of my lungs every and anywhere I was. I didn’t care who heard me. As a matter of fact, when I walked the streets, I used my imagination to take me to different places where I had no fear and I pretended that I was the only person on the streets as I sang all the way on my journeys. Sometimes I skipped along as I sang. People called me crazy. However, the more I rejoiced, the stronger I became in my emotions.
We have heard in yesterday’s devotional that an attitude of gratitude contributes to healthy living, as thanksgiving conquers anxiety and engenders happiness. It was also said that joy, like gratitude have grave health benefits.
The Apostle Paul knew the significance of having joy so he encouraged the believers, “Rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16); “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
The word “rejoice” in both Scriptures is the Greek word chairó, which means to be cheerful or calmly happy, be glad, rejoice (Hebrew – Greek Key Word Study Bible).
Today, I want to emphasize that when you “rejoice evermore”, or “rejoice in the Lord always”, your joy conquers anxiety and strengthens you “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
The use of the words, “evermore” and “always” tells me that believers ought to perpetually or continually rejoice and never stop. One may ask, “Is it possible to eternally rejoice? Yes, it is possible because joy is not dependent on outward circumstances but is a Spirit-given expression that manifests especially in difficult times. It is an inner attitude that decides to rejoice no matter what is happening.
It is important to note that joy is often described as an emotion, however, it is not, though emotions maybe evoked when one is rejoicing. Instead, joy is the second segment of the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” (Galatians 5:22). It is a supernatural Joy: cheerfulness or calm delight or gladness that only the Holy Spirit gives. It is generated from the grace of God to help believers in difficult times.
Regardless to what is happening in your life at this moment, in this season, would you receive God’s supernatural joy from His Holy Spirit today and begin to rejoice evermore in the Lord? You would be amazed how all the cares and anxiety in your soul vanish away, never to return again.
God bless you!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Daddy I worship You and bless Your name. Thank You for Your supernatural joy that enables me to rejoice evermore and to rejoice in You always no matter how challenging life gets. Thank You for Your supernatural strength that I receive in Your joy. I declare that no more will I be attacked by spirits of anxiety and fear because the joy of the Lord is my strength. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!
