Instructions (Part 2)

After Paul instructed the members of the church in Thessalonica in how to behave toward others, He began with what our attitude was to be. He said, “Always be joyful.”  Now, I don’t know about you, but, being joyful is not difficult sometimes.  It is the “always” part that is so very hard.  I’m not able to “always” be joyful.  However, as I have looked back over my life, I see where God has helped me through some pretty difficult times and I’m able to master the joyful part more now than when I was a younger Christian.  Joy is a choice we make and a matter of the heart.  (Proverbs 23:7a records, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”)  When we experience sorrow, grief, anguish and a host of other emotions, we dwell on those things and they tend to keep us upset. We are to be joyful, because Joy will deliver us from the clutches of despair.  

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, “Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy, comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-16 (TLB)