“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
PHILIPPIANS 4:4

Breaking the Joy Barrier Phil 4:4-7

“God is working all things for the good.” “If God brings you to it, he’ll bring you through it.” These are common clichés of the Christian faith. And while such catchphrases are rooted in Scripture, they can sound glib if not delivered with care. Philippians 4:4 could easily fall into this category. For hurting people, a natural response to Paul’s exhortation to “always be full of joy” might be, “Yeah, right!”

Always? Everyone? Rejoice about what?

Break the Barriers is a one-of-a-kind touring gymnastics team that exudes so much joy and excitement through their show that it’s easy to miss the fact that the performers all have disabilities. Young people clad in colorful leotards leap and fly through the air to a booming sound track. A teenager with Down Syndrome pushes the wheelchair of a child with Cerebral Palsy. Adult spotters keep watch as the kids construct human pyramids. A couple of stronger boys even carry smiling kids in wheelchairs over their heads. The audience is both awestruck and inspired by the young people who radiate joy as they also build awareness and understanding for those impacted by disability.

Had Paul been in the audience for a Break the Barriers performance, he would have led the standing ovation. Throughout his letter to the Philippians, Paul challenges fellow believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and joyfully live out their faith, regardless of their circumstances. It’s a message found in both the Old and New Testaments, and one Paul himself likely wrestled with as he faced suffering and persecution. Some have theorized that he may have had a disability too.

There is something intriguing about an individual who can maintain joy despite arduous circumstances. Perhaps that played a part in God’s decision not to remove the “thorn” in Paul’s flesh, despite his fervent requests (2 Cor 12:7-10).

Rejoice always? Everyone? Yes!