If you are ever seeking for the Bible to provide a list of things a believer should do, the Apostle Paul provided a simple one for daily living. He begins this to do list at I Thessalonians 5:11:

• Comfort and edify one another (verse 11)
• Respect all leaders (verses 12–13)
• Treat everyone with kindness (verse 15)
• Rejoice always (verse 16)
• Pray without ceasing (verse 17)
• Give thanks (verse 18)
• Do not quench the Spirit (verse 19)
• Test all teachings (verses 20–21)
• Avoid evil (verse 22)

In the midst of everything, Paul says:

“Rejoice always,”

I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This one scripture has two words, but they are so important and so powerful to the life of a believer. Why? As a Christian, we are supposed to be the most relaxed, the most grateful, the most optimistic people on this earth. Again, I ask why?

Even in our darkest days, we can draw strength from a higher source – a source that the world does not have because the joy of the Lord IS our strength.

Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

If we operate in the fullness of God, we will respond to circumstances differently than the world does. It takes faith to obtain strength from an entity you cannot see. It also takes an unacknowledged source of faith to operate in anxiety; but the two cannot exist together.

So what are you going to do? I encourage you to place your hope in God, and the reality of His promises. Then watch how your mindset begins to shift from temporary satisfaction to consistently rejoicing.

Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.