When Paul the apostle wrote this, he was in a dark, stinky prison cell and he was most likely beaten severely and in chains. He put on joy by faith in spite of his circumstances. Paul later wrote in Hebrews for us to follow the example of Jesus Who focused on the joy before Him and endured the cross.
Paul then went on to write, ‘Whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things, center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart.’
We can enter into joy by faith as we take our thoughts captive and focus on the Word as well as the promise that God is working all things together for our good and that in Christ every test is in the process of becoming a testimony!
Enter into joy right now by grace through faith, in Jesus Name!
