St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian Church is one of the earliest books in the New Testament. Toward the end of the letter, the Apostle Paul throws in a list of instructions – a sort of church member’s checklist – which begins with the extraordinary command to “Rejoice always.”

In English, when we want to say that something happens in all places, we use the word “everywhere.” It’s springing up everywhere! Why is it that when we want to say that something happens at all times, we don’t say, “everywhen”? Ancient Greek-speakers did. The word translated above as “always” is composed of two roots: every and when.

Paul believed that it was God’s will that people rejoice during every “when” of their lives. When they have landed their dream job. When they hate going to work. When they have completed their first ever marathon. When they can no longer cross the room without the help of a walker. When people applaud their accomplishments. When people ignore or even criticize their best efforts.It is God’s will that people rejoice everywhen.

But does that mean that I must be happy even when things go wrong? When I’ve been misused? When my spouse has died?

That is an odd question. Must I be happy even when things go wrong? Why do we think of it that way rather than, May I be happy even when things go wrong? Someone might object: “But if I’m not happy, I can’t simply tell myself to be happy. That doesn’t work. So, how can I rejoice? What does that even mean?”

The word translated “rejoice” has a range of meanings. For example, it is the common word used in greetings and is sometimes translated, “welcome.” When Jesus first saw the disciples after the resurrection, this is the word he used. Some older versions translate it, “Hail!” Others render it, “Greetings!” But it could be translated “Rejoice!”

Perhaps one component of rejoicing everywhen has to do with welcoming each new event in our lives. We do not run from them; we meet them head-on in the certain knowledge that God will see us through. He will use this, whatever this is, for good. Yes, we may hurt physically or emotionally or financially – we know that – but we cannot lose. God will use whatever is happening, even our deaths, to make us “mature and complete, lacking nothing.” He will conform us to the image of his Son. Our ultimate happiness depends on nothing else.

A high percentage of life’s miseries comes from the belief that this thing that may happen will be too much. We fear it. Dread it. Our anticipation of future pain makes the present miserable.

But if we were to welcome each new event in our lives with the attitude that we cannot lose, that we will be more than conquerors, that our capacity for happiness will be enlarged when this is over, our lives would be turned upside down. This is not the power of positive thinking; this is the joy of believing in the God and Father of Jesus Christ.

Some people not only don’t rejoice everywhen; they grumble everywhen. They complain about the presence of a vapor trail in a glorious sunset. They complain about the crying baby in an inspiring worship service. They find what is not right, even in situations that are full of hope and promise. Their attitude is inside out. They ask, “Must I be happy even when things go wrong?” It has not yet occurred to them to ask, “May I be happy even when things go wrong?”

The instruction to rejoice always will seem irrational to those who focus on what St. Paul calls “the sufferings of the present time.” But he, writing from a prison where he was unjustly incarcerated, knew that the present time is not the only time. His expanded view included the kindness and love he had already experienced, and the glorious future that God has promised.

The apostle was able to rejoice in painful and uncertain circumstances because faith in God had expanded his view beyond present suffering. From where he stood, seeing what he saw, rejoicing made perfect sense.