Afraid of Joy
H. W. Beecher. Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.… Joy has been considered by Christian people very largely as an exceptional state; whereas sobriety — by which is meant severity of mind or a non-enjoying state of mind — is supposed to be the normal condition. I knew a Roman Catholic priest that was as upright and conscientious a man as ever I met, who said he did not dare to be happy; he was afraid that he should lose his soul if he was; and he subjected himself to every possible mortification, saying, "It is not for me to be happy here, I must take it out when I get to heaven. There I expect to be happy." That was in accordance with his view of Christianity. (H. W. Beecher.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. WEB: Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!