Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Not once. Twice. Like Paul leaned in, looked us in the eye, and said, “Don’t miss this.”

Now, notice what Paul didn’t say. He didn’t say rejoice when things finally calm down. He didn’t say rejoice when the diagnosis changes, the bills are paid, or the people around you act right. He said rejoice in the Lord. That’s the anchor. Not the situation, not the season, not the scoreboard of life—but the Lord.

Joy, the kind Paul is talking about, isn’t the same thing as happiness. Happiness depends on what’s happening. Joy depends on who’s holding you. And friend, even on your hardest days, the Lord hasn’t loosened His grip.

Sometimes rejoicing looks like singing loud. Other times it looks like a quiet, stubborn faith that says, “I’m hurting, but I trust Him.” Sometimes it’s a smile. Sometimes it’s just getting out of bed and whispering, “Thank You, Lord, for one more day.”

And then Paul says it again. Again I say, rejoice.

Why? Because he knows we forget. We leak joy. We get weighed down. So God, in His grace, repeats Himself.

So today, right where you are, take a breath. Rock back just a little. And choose joy—not because everything is right, but because He is. Rejoice in the Lord. And when you forget… hear Him say it again.