Apart from John 11:35 which says, “Jesus wept” our text will qualify as the next shortest verse of the Bible. Both references consist of two words, our text only being some letters longer. What is also interesting about these two verses of scripture is that whereas one speaks of grief, the other is concerned with the antidote to grief. “Rejoice evermore”, Paul enjoined the Thessalonians. This is not the only place where the apostle recommended rejoicing. He gave the same prescription to the Philippians. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.” (Philippians 3:1 NKJV). Rejoicing is safe; undue grieving is unsafe. Something is instructive in Paul’s word to the Philippians. Their rejoicing should be in the Lord. This is important. When situations are unpleasant, we are to look beyond them and put our rejoicing in the Lord who has all things under control. At such moments, the rejoicing is not occasioned by prevailing circumstances, but in the ability of God to turn things around.
In our previous meditation, the first prescription for grief is prayer; and now we are talking of rejoicing. Invariably, rejoicing comes down to thanking and praising God. We must admit that none of these is a cheap prescription. When grief is lurking around the corner of the heart, prayer and praises are the last thing in the mind of most people. Propensity for prayer is low at such moments. Most people will likely seek comfort through various other means. However, it is when the propensity for praying and praising God is low that we need to do it the most. I chanced on the Facebook wall of one Chukwuemelie Oral Onuigbo and I love what he said. “If you don’t feel like praying, force it because something is forcing you not to pray”. Grief will likely force you not to pray; so force yourself to pray and bless God. By doing so, you will force grief out sooner than you think.
