Rejoice!

At the age of 23 our son contracted a mysterious illness; his condition baffled the doctors. After two-and-a-half months with no hope for his recovery, we released our child from life support. That first week after our son’s death our church family passed around an old Bible and asked members to underline a favourite scripture passage. When we received the Bible, I was struggling even to pray. But I was able to cling to those verses shared by our church friends. Someone had highlighted Paul’s words to the Philippians, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’ At first, I felt the verse inappropriate for our situation. What did we have to rejoice about? But the scriptures repeat again and again that we should praise God in all things.

I began to give thanks for what I could—the air we breathe, the sun in the morning and the rain in its season. My praise sounded false at first, but with practice I repeated my thanks. Miraculously, over time, I was filled with Christ’s peace—the peace that transcends understanding (see Philippians 4:7). Through scripture and the simple act of thanksgiving, God can give us a balm for anxiety, stress, depression and grief.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for the healing that praise can bring. Give us the strength to glorify you in all situations. Amen