Life would be such a drab and dull thing without joy. Laughter would be stilled; humor would not exist; and we would wallow in despair so complete it would destroy us.

And yet. . . in a way life would be much simpler if we didn’t have to be joyful. It’s one thing when the sun is shining and our hearts are at rest. It’s quite another when life takes an unfair turn and we’re left gasping for breath at the injustice of it all. Joy is not the natural response to hard times. Anger is. Despair is. Sorrow is. But joy? Whyever joy?

How can God expect it of us?

And expect it of us He does. Rejoice evermore. . . in every thing give thanks. . . count it all joy. . . There’s no doubt what He wants from us as His children.

It looks fairly impossible from a human standpoint, this joying in all things. But joy is not something we stir up within ourselves or somehow create. Joy is a gift from God, and He loves to give good gifts to His children. Don’t try to concoct your own version of joy; just ask Him for His. Choose joy, and let Him remind you how much He loves you. No matter the trial, He has promised to never leave us, to walk with us through it, to give us as much strength as we need.

And that in itself is a reason to be joyful. He hasn’t left us alone to stagger beneath our pain; He’s right here with us. And while the laughter may be drowned in tears for a while, the joy can still be present. Joy in Him if in nothing else.

He is reason enough, and more.

Choose joy. . .
. . . even when no one else seems to
. . . even when it's cold and raining and you have to work outside
. . . even when your mind feels broken
. . . even when you have bills to pay and no money to pay them
. . . even when the sun doesn't shine for days
. . . even when you're lonely
. . . even when it seems like no one else is doing their part
. . . even when you have to work on your birthday
. . . even when you're sick
. . . even when your car breaks down
. . . even when it hurts too much to do anything but pray, Please, Father. . .
. . . even when you have every reason to be grumpy
. . . even when it means giving up your own agenda
. . . even when you're overwhelmed, be it by schoolwork, relationships, church issues, or just life in general
. . . even when it means not having to have an answer to all your questions
. . . even when you're too tired to function properly
. . . even when God doesn't give you what you ask for

Choose joy. . . even when you can't find a reason to.

There is always a reason.

Choosing joy will remind you that God is in control. . .
. . . that He has your good in mind if you are serving Him
. . . that life really isn't all about you
. . . that while you might be hurting horribly, somewhere there is someone else hurting worse
. . . that there is always something to be thankful for
. . . that the sun is still shining somewhere above the clouds

Your choice to be joyful could be what it takes for someone else to choose joy as well, perhaps someone who’s in more pain than you are. We’re together in this world for a reason. Don’t forget it.

Choose joy. It’s not always the easy choice, but it’s always the right one.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusteth in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7

“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. For His anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:4-5