Editors’ Choice: 5 Scriptures that will keep you smiling and rejoicing
By EEW Magazine Online // Bible Verses // Inspiration
As a nation, we have plenty to frown about and less to smile and rejoice about lately. Sinking into a funk is pretty easy to do, unless you let the word of God renew your hope and restore your joy.
Understanding that we all need a little lift from time to time, EEW Magazine Online editors got together to share our Top 5 favorite Scriptures – in no particular order – to keep your heart full of joy in trying times. May they brighten your day!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Rejoice always? That’s a tall order! But you can do it if you meditate on the goodness of the Lord, and make a decision to bless His name at all times – in both beautiful and stormy weather. You don’t have to feel good to declare that God is good.
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3) Salvation through Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him is a constant source of joy. Just as Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, He tells us that He is the Living Water that satisfies the deep longing of our souls. If you need more joy, draw from the well that never runs dry.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:3) You can let testing and trials make you feel low, worried and weary, or you can do what the Bible says, and be joyful through your tests. Why? Because these tests are building the endurance in you that you need to withstand trouble and see all God has in store for you on the other side of this trial.
“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.” (Psalm 42:5) This awesome psalm helps you have a heart-to-heart with yourself and ask, what’s the matter with you? Why are you sad? After you self-diagnose, you don’t have to self-treat. This Bible verse gives the remedy and the solution: hope in God, and praise Him anyway!
“…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Who doesn’t need a reminder that troubling circumstances won’t last always? When you get discouraged, know that things won’t be like this forever. God is working your situation out. When you remember this, you can rejoice in advance, because morning is coming, and the sun will shine again.
The world waits for circumstances to be right so they can be happy. Followers of Jesus, on the other hand, cling to the word of God. That’s why we have joy and smile from the inside out.
