I THINK MYSELF HAPPY

I am looking forward to a fresh start in 2026, aren’t you? As a prophet, I have diligently been seeking awesome revelation and anointed declarations for 2026! And yet, God’s answer was not coming to me through a profound message as to what to fully expect in the coming season. I had heard at the end of last year that 2026 would be a year of increased anointing. We would be stretching our tents, enlarging them, and experiencing a great increase. Our spheres of influence would increase, and we would begin to give out of abundance rather than out of lack. He said that He would empower us to overcome the spirit of Mammon and Jezebel in 2026 and bring forth great multiplication in many ways. He also said He was also going to judge all barrenness and bring forth fruitfulness. I was excited for Him to give me more revelation and much more detail. However, on January 1, the Lord began ministering to me about the importance of joy and happiness. What? That didn’t seem so profound- however, it is. Hang on- this will really bless you!

In the dictionary, joy and happiness are described similarly, yet we often separate their definitions depending on the subject matter. And, many of us as Christians are familiar with the passage in Nehemiah 8:10, which says that “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” In this context, Nehemiah had been rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and he and the Jews had faced enormous opposition from their enemies. To find an internal joy that came through trust and faith in the Lord was necessary to overcome the emotional stress and heartfelt distress they had been experiencing. On the other hand, found in another book of the Bible, you will find a New Testament admonition to do something similar- it’s about finding a place in your heart and mind to be HAPPY! I love how the Apostle Paul teaches us about dealing with stress and the importance of happiness. There is something about joy and happiness that empowers us in this season and will fuel our forward motion in God. The landscape of our lives is about to change! Like the project that Nehemiah and the Jews were involved in, many of us have been in a rebuilding process. Whether God is repairing our families, rebuilding our businesses, restructuring our churches, or repairing the breaches in our walls, joy and happiness are keys right now to overcoming our enemy. Let’s investigate the book of Acts, where he spotlights the perfect example of staying unstressed.

We begin our study when Paul was falsely accused and imprisoned while possibly facing an execution. Thank goodness our bad days aren’t quite that bad. Nevertheless, how do we face, adapt, and overcome days of despair? We read in scripture how Paul uses and emphasizes his happiness as a choice, rooted in faith rather than circumstances, urging the congregation to “think themselves happy” by focusing on thankfulness and positive declarations, no matter what challenges they face.

Let’s get started with a small background of our Apostle Paul. He was one of many who were chosen to forerun the gospel. Most people remember “Saul from Tarsus”, a son of a Pharisee, who sought out Christians and persecuted them. Given permission from the High Priests, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees to destroy this new movement of Christianity, Paul was bent on destroying all who opposed the Jewish religion and the strict order of the Law. Those who were involved in this new move of Christianity (known as “The Way” in 30 A.D.) were considered enemies of God by Paul and others. (Some theologians believe the name “The Way” came from the Scripture found in John 14:6 when Jesus said … “I am the way and the truth and the life”. The church at Antioch, in Syria, played a significant role in the early Christian community, serving as a safe place for both Jews and Gentiles. Antioch was where believers in Christ were first called Christians.

Paul’s Wisdom During Persecution

Paul gives us one of the most surprising statements in the Bible from the book of Acts when facing a possible death sentence for promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is standing before King Agrippa (Acts 26), who had the power to take his life, and Paul says, “I Think Myself Happy, King Agrippa.” Where did that statement come from? Come on, Paul, you are standing before one who has the power to take your life, and you say, “I think myself happy?” From there, Paul draws on his wisdom and knowledge (being wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove) and begins telling King Agrippa how wonderful and powerful he is, and then he acknowledges how poorly this king has treated the Jews. Paul knew King Agrippa from his past, before his Damascus Road experience, and used his platform to preach the gospel to the King. What wisdom that was to sandwich a compliment with conviction! I love that, don’t you?

Listen- here’s a key- when our days are filled with depression or troublesome times, we must focus on happiness and joy to overcome. Here are some suggestions:

Begin to think ourselves happy by declaring statements like these:

· “God, I am so thankful for this day.”

· “Thank you for my family, my kids, and my grandkids.”

· “I am thankful for my health and divine healing.”

· “Thank You, Lord, that You said, I am beautifully and wonderfully made.”

· “Thank you for my job and divine provision.”

· “This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice!”

· “Today I decide to think myself happy!”

Joy and happiness are choices, not conditions. What we say about ourselves does matter. What we are thinking usually comes out of our mouths. Scripture says that “As a man thinketh, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7) Paul doesn’t say, “I feel happy.” He says, “I think myself happy.” That’s intentional language. He’s making a decision- a mental and spiritual choice to embrace joy. Let’s be clear: happiness and joy are similar, but again, they are not entirely the same. Happiness is sometimes a little more circumstantial, based on what is going on in the moment. Joy, on the other hand, is spiritually rooted in who God is. Paul’s happiness at the time wasn’t based on comfort. It was based on conviction. Paul had learned the secret of choosing happiness that led to lasting joy, even when life was hard. Over the many years of Paul’s ministry, he endured many hardships… many! Yet there was something internal that kept Him committed to preaching the gospel. I believe he had to continually think himself happy until that joy of the Lord kicked in!

Let me give you an illustration. Let us use a thermostat versus a thermometer. A thermometer reacts to the environment, and a thermostat sets the temperature. Paul was a thermostat. He didn’t let his surroundings set the temperature. He set his heart on happiness and joy. Paul knew that joy comes from purpose. He was happy because he had a purpose, even in prison. He saw his trial as a platform. He wasn’t just defending himself; he was proclaiming the Gospel. When you know your life has meaning, even suffering can be redeemed.

What are you going through today? A broken relationship? Financial stress? Ask God this question: How can I use this as a testimony? Remember, a thermostat reacts to the temperature. A thermometer sets the temperature. Your joy can be a lighthouse to someone in a storm. Even though it doesn’t save a person from the storm, it does bring people to a safe place.

When we find purpose in our pain, joy becomes possible. Paul’s joy wasn’t just personal; it was powerful. It made people listen. His happiness was a testimony. It made Agrippa curious. It made Festus confused. It made the Gospel compelling. Joy isn’t something we manufacture. It’s something we receive through faith and focus.

People Notice Your Attitude

In a world full of anxiety, bitterness, and fear, joy stands out.

· When you smile through suffering, people ask questions.

· When you praise through pain, people pay attention.

Know Who Holds Your Future

Paul didn’t know what Agrippa would decide. But he knew what God had promised. His joy was not in the outcome, but in the ONE who holds the outcome. If you’re struggling to find joy, don’t look outward, look upward. Joy doesn’t come from circumstances. It comes from Christ.

1. Joy is a choice — not a condition.

2. Joy comes from purpose — not comfort.

3. Joy is a witness — not just a feeling.

4. Joy is rooted in Christ — not circumstances.

Paul thought himself happy. Not because life was easy, but because God was faithful. This week, when you face frustration, disappointment, or fear — pause and say, “I think myself happy.” Not because everything is perfect, but because God is present. Let joy be your declaration. Let joy be your decision. Let joy be your testimony.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy that comes from knowing You. Teach us to think ourselves happy — not because of what we see, but because of what we believe. Help us to be thermostats, not thermometers. Use our trials for Your glory. Let our joy be a witness to the world. Let us find purpose in our trials. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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