Magalak kayong lagi sa Panginoon. Inuulit ko, magalak kayo! 

Mga Taga-Filipos 4:4

Madali ang malugmok sa kalungkutan. With all that’s happening in our surroundings—rampant na bad news, unanswered prayers, disappointments, at misfortunes in life—hindi natin masisisi kung madami sa atin ang nagiging malulungkutin.

Being Filipinos, kasama sa culture natin ang pagiging emotional. We tend to wear our hearts on our sleeves. But while it is okay to be sad, it could be dangerous if we dwell on it too much. Kaya naman sa bawat pagsubok na ating kinakaharap, Paul in his letter to the Philippians encourages us with this, “Magalak kayong lagi sa Panginoon. Inuulit ko, magalak kayo!”

Paano natin magagawang maging joyful kung mayroon tayong pinagdadaanan? Alam nating mahirap mag-rejoice kung hindi naman nakakatuwa ang mga nangyayari. Pero alam mo ba na nang sinulat ni Apostle Paul ang mga katagang “Magalak kayong lagi sa Panginoon” ay nakakulong siya dahil sa pangangaral ng gospel? Pinatunayan ni Apostle Paul that there is a state of joy which we can attain even if we are in the midst of storms. This is the joy that is given as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

As we get to know the Lord more, we will experience this unshakeable joy. Matatanggap natin ang kagalakang ibinibigay sa atin ng Panginoong Jesus (Juan 15:11). So everyday, let us choose to be joyful no matter what dahil kasama natin si Lord. Kung overwhelmed tayo with reasons para maging malungkot, let us ask the Lord to remove that feeling of helplessness and allow us to see God’s power, presence, and goodness.