From the gloom of his cold dark prison, his hands weighed down by the chains on his wrists, the Apostle Paul encourages the believers in Philippi to pursue a virtue far beyond what they would think of naturally as they go through difficult circumstances: continuous joy.
Long before the time of Paul, Habakkuk rejoiced in the Lord and sang songs of joy to the God of his salvation. He was ready to do this even though he was lacking the essentials that sustain life: "Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior." (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Some think they should postpone their rejoicing and withhold their happiness until they solve their pending problems, until their pressing requests are answered. But such people will not find joy unless they first learn how to surrender everything to the Lord. Only then will they be able to walk freely without worries, turning outside themselves to care for the broken hearted, the wounded, and the outcasts. Then, in their own times of trouble, they will be able to share with others the good news that promises an overflowing life here on earth, and an eternity of glory and happiness later in heaven. Rejoicing here and now can rescue people from a life of despair and from the greed that would cause them to turn inward, nullifying every opportunity to enjoy whatever God has prepared for each of us in this life.
God is joy, and his companionship with us is everlasting. He walks by our side throughout our days here on earth. Moreover, the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in us is a fountain of great joy and strength. Through our fellowship with the Father, with his Son Jesus Christ, and with those who believe in him, we experience a deep joy that is able to lift us above every circumstance, tiredness, and suffering. "Don't let anything worry you or cause you pain." (Ecclesiastes 11:10)
Let us rejoice in the Lord and in his blessings, and let us continue to live righteously for his glory. Let us live a life of integrity in the light, while the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from every sin, until he comes to glorify us with himself. And let us even now have our hearts filled with expectation and hope, not looking inside ourselves for reasons to rejoice, but looking to him who has promised us a joyous future with him.