It’s hard to rejoice when our circumstances are bad. The key to rejoicing during hardships is to look at Jesus. As we look to Him, we are reminded to still 𝒓𝒆𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 when things are bad because 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 and He always works things out for our good. Rejoice amidst the pain.

There were many disappointments that weighed on my heart. As much as I wanted to look to my husband for hope, there were weaknesses that he was currently overcoming.

Everything around me was going against what God had promised. 𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸.

However, at that moment, Jesus reminded me to 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗺.

While my husband is awesome, he’s not perfect. Only Jesus is perfect.

It can be easy to hold our spouse, parents, or loved ones on a pedestal, but we must remember that we are called to only behold Jesus. As I looked to Jesus, I was reminded that He is the one who 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 and He works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Jesus whispered into my heart and said, “Don’t you know that anyone who is in Me is victorious?”

From that moment, I realized that I didn’t have to stay in the pit of depression. I could rise up and rejoice because in Christ we are victorious. 1 Cor. 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When we behold Jesus and remind ourselves of who He is, we will never lose hope in our storms, no matter how bad they may be. God is always greater and with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:28).

David says in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” David went through many hardships in his life, especially during the time when King Saul was on the chase to persecute him.

David’s one request here was to simply be in the presence of God. David knew that as long as He was in the presence of God, gazing at His beauty, he would be okay no matter what he had to go through. He knew that God was his stronghold (Psalm 27:1).

No matter what you’re facing, will you continue to look to Jesus and see Him as your stronghold? 

As you look to Jesus, remember His goodness and faithfulness. Our circumstances 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 whether God is good. God is ALWAYS good because He is good. It’s His character that makes Him good.

When we know that 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅, no matter where life takes us, we will never doubt His love for us. Being God’s child doesn’t mean we will not have dark valleys to go through, but that 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆.

Because God is good, we can rejoice always. God commands us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Rejoicing isn’t an option, it’s a command. God commands us to rejoice because He knows that rejoicing will always position us to see from God’s perspective which will allow us to abide in Him. Rejoicing is a necessity.

Take time throughout each day to rejoice in all areas of your lives (loved ones, past, present, future, health, vocation, finances, and relationship with God). Whatever you are going through. know that God is with you and He will get you through the storm safely. So remember, rejoice amidst the pain.

Prayer: Jesus, help us to behold You every moment of every day. Help us to fix our gaze on You. Though everything around me may seem dark and chaotic, I am safe in You. My eyes are fixed upon You, so I will not fear the storm around me.

Purchase Gabrielle Santiago’s Daily Positive God Thoughts: A daily journal to help you rejoice in all areas of life.

Please consider donating to the ministry if you have been blessed. You can do so by clicking here: GIVE
Every dollar counts towards spreading God’s truth. Help us reach more lives with the gospel of Christ.