Finding Resilience, Joy and Our Identity in Jesus Christ Lesson Six

Lesson Six: Finding Our Joy in Christ: “I Will Say It Again, Rejoice”

Scripture: Philippians 4:1–23 

Why Ban Joy?

In some traditions, certain activities that exude joy are banned, like dancing, for example. This has even included liturgical dance in worship settings.

Music, which also gives us such joy, has also been censored as certain music and musical instruments were not considered appropriate in worship. Curiously, as time passes the same music or instruments, which at one time were deemed inappropriate, become prevalent and even normative in churches.

For years, children’s joyful voices in church sanctuaries were not allowed.

Motherhood, how and when it is appropriate to care for children, sexuality, and non-traditional family structures have been the source of official or unofficial policies.

Women’s bodies have been regulated, for example how a woman dresses, and even how women pastors dress. 

To add to this, some cultures have been over-controlled and their traditions and cultural activities prohibited. Professor of History at Rutgers University, Dr. Leslie Alexander says “One of the laws that has struck and haunted me since the time I encountered it is a law that was passed in Charleston essentially saying that enslaved and free Black people are not allowed to participate in any kind of expression of joy. So every imaginable aspect of enslaved people’s lives is being surveilled, policed and controlled.”[1]

If African Americans in South Carolina, New York, Virginia, and other cities assembled for worship, were caught singing or dancing, played musical instruments, gathered on Sunday mornings or held funerals at night, they could be violently punished, arrested or killed.

But, people will find a way to live out their faith and share their joy. Do you believe this? Have you ever found joy in the midst of a stressful and difficult situation? Paul was in prison when he wrote his letter to the Philippians, even so, he was joyful.

Theologian Daniel Migliore suggests, “Paul cannot help but rejoice, and he urges his fellow Christians to join him in rejoicing, just as Mary sang at the annunciation of the coming birth of Christ, ‘My spirit rejoices in God my Savior’ (Luke 1:47) and just as Jesus counseled his disciples, ‘Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 RSV).” [2]

Paul uses the word rejoice nine times in this small, four-chapter letter, most notably in Philippians 4:4–7, which reads:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Why ban joy? Is it even possible for others to take your joy away? Christian joy is more than just an emotion. It is a way of responding to and living one’s life. Like Paul, our joy is found in Christ Jesus.

When we spend time in Christ’s presence in prayer, we find joy. When our mourning is turned into dancing, we rejoice. The knowledge that we will receive the gift of life eternal fills us with gratitude and joy. The more we experience the abundant grace of God, the more our joy and thankfulness to God increases.

When we see our blessings before us, even though it is hard for others to see, we give thanks to God in everything and even rejoice, though it seems counterintuitive. For some reason, hardship does not always kill joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Let’s reclaim joy as part of our Presbyterian tradition

[1] Nikole Hannah-Jones, “The 1619 Project,” Hulu TV series, Season 1, Episode 5, “Fear,” 2023.

[2] Daniel L. Migliore, Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible, Philippians and Philemon (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), 160.

***************

This blog is the sixth in a series of nine blogs.

Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ is the Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc. Bible study for 2025–2026. Go to presbyterianwomen.org/bible-study/resilience to find more resources and copies for you and your group to study along with us. Call 800/533-4371 or order online.