What is your reaction when you sees someone overly joyful to the point of being zealous? Do you cringe and nervous around them?

The first time my mother joined me at a Nazarene Church for an evening service, she was uncomfortable because there are people who wasn’t afraid to shout Amen or Halleluia! You see, she wasn’t used to it. She was more in the tradition of people being quiet in church. Much like people who goes to a Catholic or Lutheran church. People who lives in North Dakota and Minnesota are more apt to quietly worship in church compared to others areas in the country.

I have noticed people who are handicapped, somehow are more apt to joyfully praise the Lord despite of their situation.

I also noticed that the Africans either African Americans or non-Americans are also more apt to joyful praise the Lord in worship service as well. Maybe it’s their culture.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, I’ll discuss being joyful anyway.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Be Joyful always!” In verse 17, “Pray continually, and in verse 18, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

To some people, it’s hard to be joyful when times are tough. It’s hard to be happy in the bad times you’re facing. Yet we’re told to be joyful always no matter what our situation may be.

We are to pray without ceasing. We are to be persistent in our prayers as the woman mentioned in Luke 18:1-5 was when she was persistent with the judge to get him to hear her out. Never stop praying! It may be annoying to some if we come across as being persistent but to God it’s very important that we never give up.

We are to give thanks in all circumstances. Sometimes though, we may not feels like giving thanks. We may feel that have nothing to be thankful for. Count Your Blessings, name them one by one! Be thankful that you are still alive despite of the situation you’re in.

In Philippians 4:4, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-REJOICE!

In Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

I remembered the song, “Swing Low-Sweet Chariot, it may seems like a sad song but in reality, the African-Americans were able to continue rejoicing despite of their situation they were in, being bound by slavery.

Who knows, if someone sees you being joyful despite of your situation, it may bring about lots of questions to where you find such joy. If they see you constantly happy and smiling, they may wonder why you’re smiling. Be Happy!!

What makes you happy? What makes you joyful?

There’s a song by the group 3 Dog Night that I sang a lot in school. The song was “Joy to the World.” Let’s spread a little joy in the world around us. What the world needs now more than ever is joy and love. This Thanksgiving, let us be joyful always in all circumstances. Let’s a spread a little joy to others who is in need of joy in their life. Believe me, you may find it difficult if you’re having a tough situation; but it could cheer you up and make your day brighter; along with someone you meet along the way.

No matter how you may be feeling at this moment, REJOICE ANYWAY!! Go ahead and make someone day just by being joyful.