I want to thank God for Pastor Monts for this inspiration. May God bless you tremendously. “I Think Myself Happy”
When Paul made the statement written in Acts 26:2, he stood in bonds. During this time King Agrippa stopped by to visit Festus and he expressed interest in a hearing with Paul. Fesuts granted the permission and so Paul was given the floor to speak to the court about his situation. His opening statement to his audience: “I think myself happy”. Just what was Paul happy about? Would he be let go and his charges dismissed if his oratory & detailed explanation was well received? No.
This happiness Paul stated was rooted in something that transcended his situation. Paul was proving exactly what he says later in a letter to the church at Philippi: “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
Contentment and happiness are synonymous terms. Happiness does not arise from outward condition, but an inward disposition. Happiness is the opposite of discontentment, sadness, & restlessness. Happiness is where you find it and rarely where you seek it.
In this age many are in constant pursuit of happiness. The only problem is that too many are looking in what really only brings a momentary glance of happiness. While striving to feel good and complete isn’t wrong, false perceptions declare the Gift of Completeness & Fulfillment is packaged in a box marked FEELINGS.
When Paul made the statement written in Acts 26:2, he stood in bonds. During this time King Agrippa stopped by to visit Festus and he expressed interest in a hearing with Paul. Fesuts granted the permission and so Paul was given the floor to speak to the court about his situation. His opening statement to his audience: “I think myself happy”. Just what was Paul happy about? Would he be let go and his charges dismissed if his oratory & detailed explanation was well received? No.
This happiness Paul stated was rooted in something that transcended his situation. Paul was proving exactly what he says later in a letter to the church at Philippi: “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
Contentment and happiness are synonymous terms. Happiness does not arise from outward condition, but an inward disposition. Happiness is the opposite of discontentment, sadness, & restlessness. Happiness is where you find it and rarely where you seek it.
In this age many are in constant pursuit of happiness. The only problem is that too many are looking in what really only brings a momentary glance of happiness. While striving to feel good and complete isn’t wrong, false perceptions declare the Gift of Completeness & Fulfillment is packaged in a box marked FEELINGS.
Look I believe that; false expectations based on “feelings” set you up for a fall. Feelings are generally reactive, regardless if they are positive or negative reactions. There is an escape from just living for a moment to “feel good”. It’s found in finding moments living for God.
This was not the first time he had “thought himself happy” in spite of circumstance. In Acts 16:23-25 He was imprisoned before unjustly. Does this song familiar?
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, & made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul & Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: & the prisoners heard them.”
Paul and Silas sang out in the night. In prison, you can have a song. In pain, you can have a song. In poverty, you can have a song. The only requirement is arriving at a place of realization that YOU are the person most responsible for your happiness. Your happiness is not situational or circumstantial, but internal. Amen.
This was not the first time he had “thought himself happy” in spite of circumstance. In Acts 16:23-25 He was imprisoned before unjustly. Does this song familiar?
“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, & made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul & Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: & the prisoners heard them.”
Paul and Silas sang out in the night. In prison, you can have a song. In pain, you can have a song. In poverty, you can have a song. The only requirement is arriving at a place of realization that YOU are the person most responsible for your happiness. Your happiness is not situational or circumstantial, but internal. Amen.
