Today's passage comes near the end of Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians. Just as parents might give last-minute instructions as their child heads out the door, so Paul has a list of last-minute instructions for the people he loves. One of those instructions is to "rejoice always."
Let's step back and look at that.
There are certain time of the year (Advent, Lent) that are meant to shake you up. They shake you up but not in a bad way. Rather, they shake you into awareness, wake you up to deep and wonderful truths about God - God's love for you, the promise of eternal life.
The trouble is: you can get used to these truths, take them for granted. You forget how unusual and how wonderful they are.
When you wake up and appreciate these wonderful promises, you can rejoice ... always. True, life has its struggles, suffering, and sadness. But deep down, underlying everything, a quiet joyfulness can come from knowing God loves you and is always there for you.
There's an old saying, "Happiness is no laughing matter." That's true. Happiness isn't all laughter. It's a steady, deep-down sense of peace and joy.
Instead of only thinking about the problems and evils in the world, you can think about the gifts GOd has given you.
Let us take Paul's words to heart; "Rejoice always."
Even in hard times, you have good reason to rejoice.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw