28 Reasons To Rejoice Always EVEN In Hard Times

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

What Does It Mean To Rejoice Always?

It means to praise God in all circumstances, good and bad, because we know that he is our heavenly Father who is working all things together for our good. Even when things are difficult, we can still give thanks to God for the many blessings he has poured out on us. He has saved us, forgiven our sins, united us to Christ, and is preparing a place for us. 

Not mention all the material blessings he has given us. We have food and homes, friends and spouses, jobs and fun hobbies. We have so many things to be grateful for, no matter what the circumstances. 

If you need further proof of all the reasons we have to rejoice, read on. 

1. We have eternal life and can never lose it

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29)

We can rejoice always because God has saved us. He has rescued us from our sins and given us eternal, unending life, even though we deserve eternal, unending death. Furthermore, we can never lose this eternal life. Jesus himself is keeping and preserving us so that we will not lose our salvation. Is there any greater reason to rejoice in the Lord always?

2. Because we are one with Christ

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5)

We can rejoice always because we have a new identity in Christ. We are united to Christ, joined to him so closely that when God looks at us he sees Jesus and when he looks at Jesus he sees us. We can rejoice always because we have died with Christ and are now risen with him.

3. We can rejoice always because Jesus has paid for every sin

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Our past, present, and future sins have all been paid for by Jesus. He lived a perfect, sinless life on our behalf, died a sacrificial death in our place, and has been raised from the dead. We will never receive a single ounce of punishment for our sins because Jesus has paid it all.

4. God himself is our Father

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God… (Romans 8:16)

It’s a staggering thing that we can call God, “Abba, Father.” The people of Israel would never have dreamed of using such an intimate term with Yahweh, the God who spoke through burning bushes and led them by pillars of smoke and fire.

And yet, because we are united to Christ, we can relate to God as our Father. What a glorious reason to give thanks.

5. There is absolutely no condemnation for us in Christ

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Because Jesus took all the condemnation we deserved, there is absolutely ZERO condemnation remaining for us. God is the only one who can condemn, and he poured out his condemnation on Jesus, leaving no condemnation for us.

We can come to boldly to the throne of grace and expect to receive mercy, not condemnation.

6. We are no longer slaves of sin

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

We are free from the power of sin that once enslaved. Whereas once we could nothing BUT sin, now we have the supernatural power to obey God. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and because the Spirit dwells in us we are free from the slavery of sin.

7. We are joint-heirs with Christ and will share in his reward

…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:17)

It’s an absolutely staggering thought. Because we are united to Christ, we will share in his reward. We truly do have an inheritance from God coming, and it’s so glorious that it will make every trial we experience seem like a light and momentary affliction.

What an absolutely beautiful reason to always be thankful.

8. We have a sympathetic high priest

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus suffered as we have suffered and so he knows exactly what we need in the midst of every trial. We can come to the throne of grace confidently, expecting to receive grace and mercy custom tailored to every struggle and trial.

9. We can rejoice always because the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only came to rest upon select individuals to empower them for particular tasks. Now, because we are united to Christ, God’s presence always dwells within us. And because the Spirit of God dwells in us, we can be confident that God will guide us in his will.

10. The Holy Spirit fills us with abounding hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 5:13)

Unlike those who don’t know Christ, we can abound in hope. This isn’t a hope that things might turn out well for us. Rather, this is a rock-solid hope, rooted in the unshakeable character and promises of God. We can always be rejoicing because the Holy Spirit reminds us of the hope we have in God.

11. God himself is our fortress, strength and helper

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

God has not left us on our own to wander through this world. Rather, he is our refuge in strength, a very present help in the midst of every trouble. He is imminently present in every struggle and trouble, giving us the grace and strength we need. We can come to him when we are weary. 

12. We have unlimited access to the very throne of God

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

In the Old Testament, only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place where God’s presence dwelled. Now, however, because we are united to Christ, the way into God’s presence has been permanently opened. We can experience the power of prayer at every moment of every day, expecting God to give us sufficient grace.

13. Nothing can or will ever separate us from God’s love

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Yes, we will struggle and falter and fail and encounter numerous trials and tribulations. But nothing can separate us from the love of God. Even our own sins and failures can separate us from the indestructible, unbreakable love of God. Every morning we wake to new mercies from the Lord. What a glorious reason to give thanks in all circumstances.

14. God works all things – ALL things – for our good

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose… (Romans 8:28)

God is working everything, every backache and blessing, for our good and his glory. Even the tiniest details of our lives are being woven together into glorious tapestry. We may not understand why God allows trials to happen, but we can be sure that every one of them is being shaped and molded for our good and God’s glory. 

15. Someday we will be reunited with our loved ones who believed in Jesus

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

Death is not the end for the believer. When we die, we will be gloriously reunited with all those believers who have gone before us. We will together give praise and thanks to the Lord for how he has chosen us and saved us and preserved us until the end.

16. The Creator of the universe hears our every prayer

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:29)

Prayer is the most staggering privilege in the universe. When we pray the prayer of faith, God does incredible, world-changing things. He heals the sick, saves the unrepentant, and heals the brokenhearted. When we cry to God, he really does hear our prayers and responds. 

17. God has a purpose for our lives which he will certainly fulfill

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm 138:8)

It’s really quite amazing. God has a plan for you and me and he intends to fulfill every aspect of that good and glorious plan. Nothing can stop God from making his plans a reality. We can rejoice in the Lord always because he will fulfill even the tiniest details of his plan for us.

18. God has prepared good works for us to walk in

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

God doesn’t intend for us to live fruitless, insipid lives for him. Rather, he has created us in Christ to do good and glorious works for him. God intends that we will be fruitful and he will most certainly lead us in good works. We don’t need to be afraid of not producing fruit for God.

19. He continually protects us

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)

Because the Lord is our shepherd, he watches over us and protects us. This doesn’t mean we will never experience pain or tribulation, but it does mean that every trial we experience must first go through God. And more than that, we can be sure that in the midst of the trial, God will protect us with his sanctifying, sustaining grace.

20. He is in control of every detail of our lives

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:29-30)

God knows and loves us so intimately that he has numbered the hairs on our head and won’t let one fall to the ground without his permission. In other words, God cares deeply about even the most mundane moments of our lives. Every detail, large and tiny, is under the good, sovereign control of our loving Father. Because God is in control of every aspect of our lives, we truly can be anxious for nothing.

21. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

From the moment we were saved, Jesus has been at our side, never leaving or forsaking us. And he has promised that he never will leave us, no matter what fiery trials or deep waters we walk through. We can have the peace that passes all understanding because we know that Jesus truly is always with us.

22. Every bit of pain we endure produces an eternal weight of glory

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Our pain and suffering is not pointless. Rather, God is using every iota of pain and affliction to prepare an eternal weight of glory for us. We don’t know exactly what it will be, but it will be so glorious that even our most grievous trials seem like light and momentary afflictions.

23. God never ceases to watch over and protect us

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

God never stops watching over us. His watchful, faithful, loving, sovereign eye is always upon us. He is constantly protecting and blessing us, never stopping for even a moment. Even in our darkest moments of depression, God is still faithfully watching over us.

24. God is making each one of his children into the likeness of Jesus

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)

Through God’s word, our circumstances, and the constant shaping influence of the Holy Spirit, God is making us more and more like Jesus. He is helping us put sin to death and to walk in righteousness. We can rejoice always because God won’t stop working in us until we are fully conformed to the image of Jesus.

25. Our Father will reward us for every good deed we do

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

We have a generous Father who loves to give good gifts to us. He has promised that he will reward us for every good deed we do, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. This reality gives us the strength to not grow weary in doing good. Knowing that we will be greatly rewarded gives us the strength to keep serving.

26. God will meet our every need

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

We have so many needs, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And yet God has promised that he will fully and completely meet every need. How will he meet these needs? Out of the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. In other words, he’s not working with limited supply. He provides for us out of his infinite riches.

27. Someday Jesus will personally wipe away all our tears and sadness

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

A day is soon coming when sadness and sorrow will be eliminated and every tear will be wiped from our eyes. As the book of Revelation tells us, Jesus is coming back to bring justice and joy and the restoration of all things. When Jesus returns, tears will be wiped away and death will be no more. What a glorious reason to rejoice always.

28. Someday we will gaze upon the glorious face of our Savior

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

This is the great hope of the Christian life. Someday soon, we will look upon Jesus face-to-face. All our hopes will be realized. Every promise will be fulfilled. Sadness and death will be no more.

Our wonderful God has given us so many reasons we can rejoice always. As the song says, we truly do have 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord.

If you’re struggling to rejoice in the Lord always, call these scriptures to mind. Meditate on them. Pray through them. Let God’s word shape the way you process life.