Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Rejoice. The word struck me without warning as I read a pastor’s weekly blog. Lightning-bolt bright and impossible to ignore. I’d been praying about the word God wanted me to focus on in 2026, and the answer arrived with unmistakable clarity: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4 NIV). What interesting timing. Just days removed from shoulder replacement surgery, every movement required determination and resulted in pain. Rejoicing would demand great effort. Still, God’s direction was clear. Maybe I should reframe my limitations as an invitation rather than an interruption. After all, Paul wrote to the Philippian church not from a pleasant place but from a Roman prison. My situation was better than his.

Rejoicing from a Roman prison

Most commentators believe Paul wrote to the church at Philippi while under house arrest in Rome around AD 60–62. Though allowed visitors, he lived chained to a Roman soldier, awaiting a trial that could end in either his release or execution.

Commentators consider Philippians to be the most joy-saturated letter in the New Testament. Variations of the words joy and rejoice appear sixteen times in one hundred and four verses. Nevertheless, the writer acknowledged his suffering, opposition, and uncertainty, identifying with the Philippian believers who also faced persecution. Paul’s imprisonment had stripped away his comfort, control, and confidence in his survival, yet had not touched the source of his joy. He portrays radical discipleship by anchoring his joy in the Lord, not in relief from hardship.

Questions to Ask Before I Choose

Each year, I choose a word—one I invite God to use to transform my heart and one I adopt to measure my spiritual growth. Before I commit, I research the concept and pray, trying to discern God’s direction. I want Paul’s kind of joy but need answers to my questions. 

What do biblical authors mean when they tell us to “rejoice”?

Paul refused to let Rome define his reality. The chains binding him to Christ were stronger than those attached to the guard beside him. Prison might define his physical condition but not his mental, emotional, and spiritual. The apostle rose above his situation by focusing on the God who could use his suffering for good. For Paul, rejoicing was a choice to focus on God’s character despite his circumstances. Rather than command us to rejoice in pain, injustice, or loss, Scripture invites us to celebrate the Lord’s presence, purpose, and promises. Paul’s joy didn’t flow from favorable conditions but from his confidence in Christ. To rejoice is not to deny our distress but to declare that suffering doesn’t have the last word.

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18 NIV)

How do rejoicing, praise, and thanksgiving differ?

Rejoicing is our inner response to the wonder and majesty of God. Praise becomes an external expression of an internal emotion as we celebrate the Lord’s worthiness in worship, testimony, and music. In thanksgiving, we communicate gratitude for what God has done. Rejoicing is the root. Praise and thanksgiving are the fruit. 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

Why might God command us to rejoice?

The choice to rejoice:

• Shapes our heart, training us to seek God’s perspective about our trials. As we trust God to work all things—even the painful ones—together for good, he conforms us to the image of Christ.

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3 CSB)

• Stretches our faith, teaching us to rely on God’s promises instead of our perceptions. We don’t believe because we see, but we see because we believe.

“What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12 NIV)

• Strengthens our endurance, transforming dependence on our strength into reliance on his. The more we rejoice in the Lord, the more we recognize his power within us. Like exercise builds a muscle.

“Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

What About You?

As believers, our deepest desire is to become more like Jesus, not by accident, but through daily, intentional choices. The habit of choosing one word each year helps me pay attention to the work God wants to do in my heart and to my spiritual growth. Rather than a personality trait or mood I wait to feel, rejoicing is a spiritual discipline I must practice on purpose. When circumstances resist joy and emotions threaten to take charge, rejoicing becomes an expression of trust. To keep this calling before me, I’ll place the word where my eyes rest each day, on my phone screen and computer desktop. A gentle reminder to return to joy in the Lord.

How will you partner with God this year to grow in your faith?

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

Rejoice in the Lord Always: Choosing Joy Despite Circumstances by @NancyLucenay on Beyond the Front Door Share on X

Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you! What is your spiritual goal for next year, and how will you measure your spiritual growth? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the Comments box at the bottom of the page. (If you don’t see the Comments box, click Read More and scroll down.)