You may be still wondering how we can “rejoice always,” how we can find joy in the midst of pain and suffering. Though there are many more, over the next couple of days, let me point out eight reasons believers can “rejoice always.”

Reason #1 to Rejoice: I rejoice because of the sovereignty of my Father.

When we say God is sovereign that simply means He is in absolute control. Nothing takes place in our lives that He has not allowed to happen. That was true for Job and it is true for you and me. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good [literally it reads ‘God works all things together for good’] to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

When circumstances go awry, we must remember that God has allowed those circumstances. He will love us and protect us through any dark valley. Read today’s verse and you can see how our heart will rejoice because He is my strength.

That’s why Paul and Silas could pray and sing hymns after being beaten and thrown in prison.

I love this scene in Luke 10. Jesus sent out seventy disciples two by two to preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons. They came back rejoicing, almost like children, intoxicated by the power of God flowing through them. Yet Jesus said to them in verse 20, “Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”