Philippians 2:15 says, “Do everything without complaining” and verse 17 adds, “I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.”

We are called to be joyful in all circumstances. But we are a fickle people and too often we turn into the freed Israelites in the desert — whining constantly. Finding things to grumble and complain about. Yeah we’re free, but the food is terrible! That’s why a two-week trip took 40 years! I’m reminded of this classic episode of The Ren & Stimpy Show entitled “Stimpy’s Invention”. In this particular episode Stimpy — the loveable simpleton — creates a ‘happy helmet’ that forces his pal Ren — the irritable schemer — to always be happy. Well, as the episode unfolds Ren manages to eventually destroy and free himself from the helmet and is boiling with rage. Then, from out of nowhere, he breaks out into a beaming smile and declares that he LOVES being angry and thanks his pal Stimpy for show him that. This outrageous scenario (like most comedy) is especially hilarious because it shines a mirror on us…

WE love being angry.

It is our default position. In fact, if you walked past and angry person and a deliriously happy person would be more likely to give the happy one a side-eye ‘what’s wrong with HIM’ look! But we should live lives marked by love. Lives marked by joy. Lives that demonstrate the hope that is within us. Lives which demonstrate that hope SO loudly that it causes people to ask us ‘why’. Do we do that?

Moreover, what do we do when our situation is trying or difficult or exhausting or overwhelming? How do we be joyful for that?? But here’s the thing; I don’t think we need to be joyful FOR all circumstances, we need to be joyful IN all circumstances. The situation we find ourselves in might be terrible, even unbearable. But our joy is in our hope and our hope is not in this world. Our hope is in Jesus. The Jesus who has overcome the world. The Jesus who is causing all things to work together for the good of those who love Him.

Sometimes those valleys are the consequences of sin’s corruption in a fallen world. Sometimes the valleys are caused by poor choices we’ve made. Sometimes the valleys are God showing us something we need to learn. But no matter WHY we are there, it’s important to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. We WILL emerge from the valley eventually. Either here on earth, or on the other side in glory. And THAT is what we are joyful for. The eternal promise.

That’s why we can be joyful IN all circumstances, even if we are not joyful FOR all circumstances.