Rejoice

There is always a reason to do it.

Matthew 5:11-12  "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.

12  Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way."

1 Peter 4:12-14  Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

13  Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.  14  So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

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If there are problems and trials don't get upset about it. What a concept, God's way of thinking is so opposite of our way of thinking, it is strange to us to adjust our thinking to be like his. We know that his way is right but it is a strange concept for us to go against the grain and accept suffering with great joy when the rest of the world is struggling to avoid it.

Think about it, if Jesus existence on earth had gone very smooth and he had avoided the insults and the persecution then where would we be? His suffering was an opportunity for good, he suffered for a great cause. (Matthew 10:25)

Jesus suffering is the only reason that we can have any joy, peace or eternal security. He suffered without any revenge (1 Peter 2:23) so that we can ultimately rejoice with him for eternity.

James 1:2  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

I will view suffering as an opportunity for good instead of dread, God's way of thinking is so opposite of ours so this will be a challenge to do.

Thank you Lord for your suffering that brought me eternal life with you.