Rejoice always, pray without ceasing

Afflictions are an important part of the life of a true man or woman of God and these can cause us pain and sadness, however, they can not steal us the joy in our Lord. We are troubled, afflicted and going through the worst difficulty but confident in the Christ of glory which covers us and gives us the strength to continue. Afflictions remind us that this world is not our home and that our hope is anchored in the eternal promises of God. Even though the storm blows fiercely, and although the night seems long and overwhelming, the believer finds refuge in the unchanging arms of Christ. This confidence is not based on emotions, but on the character of God, who has never failed His children.

Afflictions can not stop the joy that we have in the Lord, although, to sincerity, sometimes we will feel that joy goes away and we feel ourselves in deep darkness and we even ask: Where is God? But, at times like these, God also asks us: Where are the Elijahs of God? This rhetorical question reminds us that God is not absent; rather, He calls us to rise in faith, to seek Him with fervor, and to stand firm even when our emotions tell us otherwise. Elijah himself experienced deep discouragement, fleeing to the desert and feeling alone, yet God met him there, strengthened him and reminded him that the journey was not over. In the same way, God meets us in the valley and revives our hearts.

The apostle Paul said:

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

20 Do not despise prophecies.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-20

A certain preacher said: “If this world is the best, why wait for another?” And this is completely what we must understand, Jesus said:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

These words of Jesus contain both a warning and a promise. The warning: tribulation is inevitable. The promise: Christ has overcome. This truth becomes the anchor of the Christian soul. No matter how severe the affliction, it can never undo what Christ has secured for us: peace, hope, and eternal life. The believer’s joy is not a fragile emotion but a supernatural fruit rooted in the victory of Jesus. This is why Paul commands us to rejoice always—because our joy flows from Christ, not from circumstances.

The Bible also tells us in the book of Hebrews chapter 11 about a series of people who went through various trials, of which we may never have passed, however, it also tells us that these people waited in a city whose architect and builder is God. They endured hardships, rejection, threats, hunger, swords, persecution, and even death, but their eyes were fixed on the promises of God. Their afflictions did not weaken their faith; rather, their faith illuminated their afflictions. They saw beyond the pain to the eternal reward.

Let us have confidence in the Lord we too, like those men of faith, who regardless of being in the lion’s den, in a cistern, Jezebel persecuting them, stoned, persecuted, hated by all, crucified, even so, they always kept the joy of the Lord in their lives. These heroes of faith teach us that affliction is not the end but part of the journey. They remind us that the joy of the Lord is not a temporary feeling but a sustaining force. Therefore, let us stand firm, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, and trust that the God who sustained them will also sustain us. Our joy is secure because our Savior reigns forever.