“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” —Philippians 4:4

You know we desperately need more joy in this life. And our circumstances do not determine the level of our joy. I know this because Paul wrote these words about joy, from a Roman prison. It seems incongruent, but it's not. Because the amount, or level, of our joy, is not determined by the circumstance of this life. Biblical joy is actually sustained by our relationship in Jesus Christ, not by our circumstances. And when we find fullness in him—day by day and moment by moment—we have a reason for great joy despite the circumstances. A joy that will not be stolen by obstacles, occurrences, or the events of life. When our focus is on Christ, the issues of this life have less power over us—and thus joy.

DO THIS: Be joyful today.

PRAYER: God, help me to know your joy.