Jump Start # 448
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians has been called the “joy” book of the N.T. Some have gone so far as to suggest that it was Paul’s favorite place—I think that’s stretching things a bit and overlooking some obvious things he addresses in the book. Nevertheless, Paul uses the word “rejoice” seven times in this short book.
When comforting someone, it is easy to tell them, “Cheer up.” Paul told the Philippians, “rejoice.” Just saying that, doesn’t do it. Most people don’t like being down in the dumps. It seems that when things are dark on the inside of us, it affects everything we do. It’s hard to get motivated when you’re feeling blue. A person tends to be more sensitive and even more selfish when they are down. Some stay in bed all day long. It’s often hard for those not down to understand those who are down, if that made any sense. Simply saying, “snap out of it,” or, “cheer up,” may seem like a wonder pill that will fix everything, it generally doesn’t.
Those cheery and cute clichés, such as “turn your lemons into lemonade,” may sell T-shirts, but they overlook the seriousness of many problems and can be considered contrite and even annoying to someone who is down. Paul’s many “rejoice” statements are different. He based them upon the Lord. He took them back to the blessings of Jesus. He reminded them of the grand work of God that was being done. The problems before them were nothing to what God is capable of doing nor what God had promised.
It is easy for to become impatient and even frustrated with some who will not “rejoice.” We tell them to, but they remain in a dark cloud. Their failure to snap out of it, pulls us down and we become depressed because they are depressed. Funny how that works.
Letting a person talk helps. When Elijah was hiding in his cave, God asked him what he was doing there. Elijah talked. Listen more than talk. When a person is down, they tend to make things worse than what they are. They begin believing that no one likes them, that they are incapable of doing anything worthwhile and that no one needs them. They see themselves as the poster child of the unloved and unwanted.
Assure them that many of their feelings are not based upon fact. God loves them. Always has and always will. Affirm your love and concern for them. Inviting them to a meal, small gifts are ways of showing that you care.
Connect them, first to God and then with others. Isolation builds depression. Withdrawing until you feel better is not good advice nor medicine. Withdrawing only deepens the hole that they are in. Getting around others. Laughing again. Helping others. These are all valuable things. God sent Elijah out to appoint someone a king. God sent Titus to Paul when he was depressed. Connections are important.
Prayer. This is what we find in Philippians. Praying to the God who can and will help. Praying calls upon someone greater than self to pull you out of the ditch.
With these things they then can be reminded to “rejoice.” The problems most likely will still be there, but they don’t have to be overcome with them. They’ve got God working on them and He’s an awesome God!
One final thought here, Paul who spoke those words to the Philippians was in prison when he wrote that book. Sometimes we think that we have to wait until OUR problems are gone before we help others—not so. Prison is a problem—yet Paul was helping others. If we wait until our problem is gone, we’ll find that another one has taken it’s place. Helping others is not only for those who are “prison free.” Paul shows us otherwise.
Rejoice! Today is the day God has made, be thankful, find ways to glorify Him, and be His hands and feet to help others. Much to do, and God needs you to do it. Rejoice.
Roger