Yesterday I talked about choosing joy. That’s so easy to say – but it’s not always easy to see how to do it.

If you’re laying in bed in pain, if you’re struggling in a bad relationship, if you’re in a thankless job that leaves you crushed every day – you can still have joy.

You would think joy would be harder to find in those situations. Actually, when you’re in that kind of pit, joy sticks out a little bit more. The challenge is first, looking the right direction and second, being willing to lay down your burdens and grab hold of it.

The book of Philippians is all about finding joy when you’re overburden. In fact, Paul was imprisoned when he wrote to the Philippians urging them to rejoice.

And that’s step one. Rejoice – REJOICE!

Look around you – what do you have to rejoice about? What good is there? Look hard – it’s there. It may be small, it may not be something that seems worth caring about. But it’s there. Find it. Take that step and rejoice in even the smallest of things.

And be ready for the second step tomorrow. 😉

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8