Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your–

No..not like that.  Please.

Paul’s not talking about happy-clappy-fakey-smiley-insipid nonsense.  

Because sometimes life hurts.  

A lot

If ever a man knew that, it was Paul.  Beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, betrayal, imprisonment–not exactly a life of fluff and delight.

And yet he rejoiced.  How did he do that?

How can we?

It comes down to counting your blessings.  Look, I know how tired and worn out that phrase is, but the concept works.  If I stop to enumerate all the ways God has shown his love for me, the list becomes quite long and my mood much improved.

Or, if I’m in a bit of a hurry, I can go for the shortcut list:

#1 The God of the Universe knows me completely, and loves me anyway.

#2 Seriously?  You need a #2?

It’s Friday.  Rejoice, Beloved.