Rejoice in the LORD, and again I say rejoice!

This is the beginning of one of my go-to passages of Scripture when I’m feeling stressed, or anxious, or low, or worried, or troubled, or any combination of these wonderful emotional roller coaster rides .

I never liked roller coasters. I rode one once.

Once.

It took my left kidney a week to dislodge from behind my tonsils and settle back where it belonged.

And yet, I find myself riding a roller coaster of sorts far more often than I care to admit.

Oh! That awful feeling. The clickity clack of the track beneath as your emotions slowly rise. Tension builds. Stomach knots. Nerves get shaky.

Then, finally, you crest the top of the ride and find yourself plunging into what feels like an out of control free fall. The clickity clacking gets louder and faster. You hear someone screaming like a 13 year old girl on helium at a Taylor Swift concert.

And you realize you are the one screaming.

Ok, maybe not actually screaming . But you feel like it.

When you’re on the emotional roller coaster, the last thing you feel like doing is rejoicing. But, therein lies the rub. You see, feelings can often be dishonest. They aren’t a very accurate gauge of reality.

For believers in Jesus, here is our reality: God is sovereign over everything.

Every situation.

Time and again God”s Word reminds us to fear not, to not worry, to not be anxious. Rather, are called to trust in our Heavenly Father, who works all things for good for those who love Him and follow His Word.

This is why Paul says with great emphasis to rejoice in the Lord always. God is the source of our joy and peace and supply. Always.

So we need to rejoice in the Lord always! Not just when we feel like it. Because, feel it or not, you are in God’s grip.

Embrace that reality. Seek Him first. And quit listening to the clickity clack beneath you.