Be Joyful!
by Katherine Kehler
Back to Index
“Always be joyful” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
We were flying to Los Angeles and had just gone through customs in the Vancouver airport. Once again I had a nail file confiscated. In total, I’ve had six nail files, two all-purpose jackknives and three pairs of scissors taken since September 11, 2001. You’d think I would remember to take these objects out of my purse before I leave home - but I don’t. It’s a challenge to remember what to bring, let alone remember what I have to leave at home.
When I got close to the departure gate - I remembered. Oh, no! I forgot to put my nail file in the garment bag and they are sure to confiscate it again. I don’t understand why they can’t make some exceptions. After all, a grandmother my age isn’t likely to be a terrorist. But they took my nail file - again. As I got settled in my seat on the plane, I knew I would have to attend to my attitude. Oh, I was controlled on the outside, but not on the inside.
“ALWAYS be joyful,” the apostle Paul reminds us.
Rejoice when everything goes my way and rejoice when things don’t go my way. Have you ever tried being joyful or thankful for a whole day? Can’t do it, can you? I can’t.
So often it is the little things that set off a negative attitude. I could have let the nail file incident spoil my whole trip, but I didn’t. I confessed my bad attitude to the Lord and I asked the Holy Spirit to help me forget about it and to fill my heart with joy. He did!
I am so thankful that God has given us the promise that the Holy Spirit will produce joy in our hearts - when He is in control.
“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
We just have to let Him - give Him control.
Lord Jesus, when those moments arise in our lives - where we feel like making a huge scene about something like people taking what is ours or not giving us what is ours - will You please remind us that with You in control of our life, we can “rejoice always.” Thank You! Amen.
TODAY's Thought: Daily Devotional 
