Rejoice in the Lord always. 

I will say it again: 

Rejoice!

Let your graciousness be known to everyone. 

The Lord is near. 

Don't worry about anything, 

but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7 CSB

Paul is an old man, locked up in a Roman jail. No doubt he's met people who have been led out and executed. 

It's not clear if he'll ever leave prison.

Rejoice!

Some days that feels easy, and some days it feels like a joke. There's nothing to rejoice in. 

Yet it's here, and its not linked at all to the way we feel in any moment.

This might be helpful: 

"xairo" (rejoice) means to be favorably disposed, leaning towards", to "delight in Gods grace, literally, to experience God's grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace"

Built into this word is Grace.

Lean towards, lean into, God's grace. 

I think Paul is saying here that no matter what you are facing today, good, difficult, or terrible, lean into God's grace.

Lean into God's grace in success, on to your best day. Lean into God's grace when it's tough.

Lean into God's grace when facing loss and grief.

"I say it again, lean into God's grace. He is near."

#leanintoGodsgrace