"Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
This is great stuff. The advice to "rejoice evermore" seems to indicate that always rejoicing is possible, and even essential. I think that we often don't realize that, or we forget. We think that life has ups and downs, and too often we think that we get stuck in the down part. But just like Mormon 9:14, learning to be happy now is a choice. Our external circumstances might not be that great, but we still get to choose how we react to things, and whether or not to abide in Faith. That doesn't mean that the down times aren't going to come, but it does mean that we can learn to weather the storm and find joy even in the hardest times.
The second verse I think is inseparable from the first. In order to get that spirit of rejoicing into our lives, we need to be praying, all the time. We need that relationship with God, and we need to trust him even (or perhaps especially) during difficult challenges... because he can help us, and get us through it all.
Today, let's rejoice, and let's pray, and maybe even both at the same time. :) With God, life can be good all the time. Not saying it is easy, or that we can get there quickly or without a lot of work... but it is possible, and an amazing goal to work toward.
Pray without ceasing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
This is great stuff. The advice to "rejoice evermore" seems to indicate that always rejoicing is possible, and even essential. I think that we often don't realize that, or we forget. We think that life has ups and downs, and too often we think that we get stuck in the down part. But just like Mormon 9:14, learning to be happy now is a choice. Our external circumstances might not be that great, but we still get to choose how we react to things, and whether or not to abide in Faith. That doesn't mean that the down times aren't going to come, but it does mean that we can learn to weather the storm and find joy even in the hardest times.
The second verse I think is inseparable from the first. In order to get that spirit of rejoicing into our lives, we need to be praying, all the time. We need that relationship with God, and we need to trust him even (or perhaps especially) during difficult challenges... because he can help us, and get us through it all.
Today, let's rejoice, and let's pray, and maybe even both at the same time. :) With God, life can be good all the time. Not saying it is easy, or that we can get there quickly or without a lot of work... but it is possible, and an amazing goal to work toward.
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