Choosing Joy in Every Step of Life

By Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

“Rejoice evermore.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (KJV)

It’s only two words. A simple verse. One that’s easy to breeze past when you’re reading through 1 Thessalonians. Yet, those two words have the power to transform the way we walk through life.

Rejoice evermore.
This means rejoice, not just when things go right. Rejoice, not just when prayers are answered. Rejoice, not just on mountaintops. Rejoice Always. But what about the hard days? Rejoice. What about the seasons when the world feels heavy, and the tears come more easily than laughter? Rejoice. What about when fear whispers louder than hope, and disappointment weighs down your heart? Rejoice. The challenging times are exactly when this call matters the most.

But, what does it mean to rejoice?

To answer this question, I began by exploring a few online dictionaries, and the answers themselves made me smile. So i decided that I would attempt to make my readers smile also. The words related to the word rejoice were: to be glad, to be joyful, to feel and express joy, to celebrate, to delight in something. I also investigated what the word “Rejoice” meant in Greek and to my delight, there were similar results. The Greek word is χαίρω (chairō) which is pronounced as KHAI-roh, which is rooted in the same family of words as χάρις (charis, grace)) and χαρά (chara, joy) meaning that rejoicing flows out of receiving God’s grace. The Greek and English versions, both agree that rejoice means to be glad, and to actively express joy.

So what did I learn for all this? I learnt that to rejoice is to consciously choose joy. Rejoice is a gladness, sometimes incomprehensible to others around you, that flows from inner peace and confidence in God, not just from external events. This is why the word is often used in scripture to encourage believers to remain joyful even when circumstances are hard, because of trust in God’s goodness. Rejoicing, I learnt is not just an emotion. It’s an attitude, a decision, and an act of faith.

And by the way, just a note before i go on: the Greek for Rejoice evermore is : χαίρετε πάντοτε which literally means “rejoice at all times”.

OK so lets get back to our native language, English. So when Paul writes “Rejoice evermore”, he is using this phrase that literally means:“Be in a state of joy continuously – never stop rejoicing.

The Call to Rejoice even when It’s Hard

If we are being honest, joy isn’t always the easiest choice. Life is unpredictable. Sometimes it feels like everything is spinning out of control. And sometimes, rejoicing feels almost impossible, forced even. But here’s the truth: the joy we’re called to isn’t rooted in our circumstances. It isn’t tied to what happens around us. It’s anchored in the unchanging character of our God. He doesn’t ask us to deny our pain. He doesn’t expect us to pretend we aren’t struggling. Instead, He offers us a deeper invitation:

“Find joy in Me. Rest in Me. Rejoice because of who I am, not what life looks like.”

That kind of joy is supernatural. It isn’t manufactured by positive thinking or good vibes. It flows from knowing that, no matter what happens, God is present, faithful, and working for your good.

Why Joy Matters on the Journey

You and I are both walking this road of faith, sometimes confidently, sometimes stumbling. But every step we take is part of our purpose. And here’s what I’ve learned: Joy is the fuel that helps us keep moving forward. Without it, the path can feel endless, fear creeps in, weariness takes over. Purpose begins to fade under the weight of discouragement.

But when we choose joy, even in broken moments, we testify to something greater than ourselves. We proclaim that God’s goodness is bigger than our grief. We declare that His promises outlast the darkest night. So, hmm..How can i put this simply. I got it! Joy is a song that echoes through the valleys and the victories.

How Do We Rejoice Evermore?

You might be thinking: “That sounds beautiful, but how do I actually live it out? Especially when life is hard?” I want to share some simple, real ways to walk this out, because this is a journey I’m on too. Some days I wake up overflowing with praise; other days I have to fight for it. But every single day, this choice is shaping me.

1. Pause and Praise

When was the last time you paused and simply praised God, not for what He’s done, but for who He is?
In the busyness of life, we forget to stop and remember His goodness. Yet even in the darkest times, there is always something to praise Him for. Breathe in. Exhale. Look around. Look up. Find the smallest thread of beauty or hope and praise Him for it. Watch how praise begins to shift your perspective.

2. Remember His Faithfulness

Your story is filled with moments of God’s faithfulness—some big, some small.
But we often forget them when new trials come. Take time to remember. Write them down. Speak them aloud. Tell your children. Remind your own weary soul that the God who was faithful then is still faithful now. What He did before, He can do again.

3. Choose Words of Life

Words carry power. The enemy knows this, and he loves to fill our minds with fear-filled, hopeless words. But you can choose what you speak. You can choose to declare God’s truth even when your feelings don’t line up.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
“God is working all things together for my good.”
“He will never leave me or forsake me.”
“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Speak it. Even if your voice trembles.

4. Surround Yourself with Joy-Filled People

Surround yourself with believers who remind you of hope and purpose. Find those who will sit with you in the hard times, but who will also remind you of scriptures like The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. Stay close to believers who will reassure you that rejoicing evermore is fueled by knowing God and trusting in His grace. Community matters.

5. Stay in His Presence

This is the heart of it all. Psalm 16:11 says: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” He is not speaking about partial joy, nor temporary joy. It’s about fullness – completeness. The more time you spend with God, through prayer, worship, scripture, the more your heart will be anchored in unshakable joy. Not because life is perfect, but because He is.

Rejoicing Is a Testimony

Do you know that every time you choose to rejoice, you preach a sermon without words. You show your children that joy is possible in the storm. You show your coworkers that faith isn’t fake or fragile.

Your Step of Purpose Today

Friend, I don’t know what your life looks like today. Maybe you’re walking through a beautiful season of abundance. Maybe you’re barely holding on through a season of loss. Wherever you are, this call is for you:

Rejoice evermore.

Rejoice, not because life is easy. Rejoice, not because everything makes sense. Rejoice, because God is good. Rejoice, because He is with you. Rejoice, because His love will never fail. As you take your next step of purpose, take it with joy – not the shallow kind, but the deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing you are held by the One who holds all things together.

So let’s walk this road together. Let’s rejoice evermore. Let’s light the path for others with the joy we’ve found in Christ, and when the hard days come – and they will – may we remember: Joy is not the absence of struggle. It is the presence of Jesus.

If you felt inspired by today’s post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, and pass it along to your friends, family, and even your chat groups. Let’s spread joy together! And for more encouragement, visit and subscribe to our Divine Steps Daily YouTube channel—I’d love to see you there. Let’s keep walking in purpose, together. 🙏✨