When your mom tells you to clean your room, is that a suggestion or a command? When your teacher says to turn in your homework, is that just an idea or a rule you need to follow? Commands aren’t suggestions—they’re instructions we need to obey!

Did you know that when God tells us to rejoice (which means to be joyful and celebrate), He’s not just making a suggestion? In the original language the Bible was written in, Paul used a special word form that means this is a COMMAND from God. It’s like God is saying, “I’m not asking if you feel like being joyful—I’m telling you to choose joy!”

Paul even says it twice in the same verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” And then he adds “always,” which means even when things aren’t going great!

But how can we rejoice when we’re sad, scared, or having a bad day? Here’s the secret: We don’t rejoice because everything is perfect. We rejoice because we have an amazing God who loves us and is in control of everything! Even when life feels messy, we can still choose to be joyful about God’s love, His promises, and His plan for our lives.

Think About It: Is there something in your life right now that’s making it hard to feel joyful? Maybe you’re worried about something or sad about a situation. Remember, God’s command to rejoice isn’t mean. It’s actually a gift! When we choose to find joy in God even during tough times, He gives us strength and peace that helps us get through anything. What’s one thing about God you can rejoice about today, even if other things aren’t perfect?