Hey parents, check out this devotional you can read with your kids which reminds us that even when life is hard, Jesus is always with us!

Some books of the Bible are really long; others are much shorter. Philippians is one of the shorter books, but it packs so much stuff that shows how important it is to live in a way that honors God and how awesome knowing Jesus is!

One of the main things this book tells us is that we will have so much joy when we have a relationship with Jesus. In fact, the writer of Philippians, a man named Paul, uses the words joy and rejoice 16 times in only 104 verses.

Why does Paul talk about joy here so much and remind the people to be joyful no matter what was happening around them? Because he wanted them (and us) to always be filled with the gladness that comes from knowing how much God loves us, to be grateful for all He’s done for us, to remember how God saved us, and to realize that He is with us even in the hardest moments in our lives.

It’s important to know this and to be reminded of it, because life is hard sometimes. But when we have Jesus, we can have joy because He is all we need. He makes life full and wonderful, and He gives us every good thing we will ever have. He is our Savior and friend, and He will always be with us. So, friends, today, tomorrow, and every day, rejoice because you are a child of God!

If you can remember that God is with you and working for your good when you’re having bad days, how do you think it might change your attitude?

FUN ACTIVITY

Sing “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart” with your kids this week. Play it in the car, at home, and after dinner. Have fun together!