I recently created a short video called Are You Happy, Now? – and the truth is, it’s something I need to take to heart as much as anyone else. Happiness doesn’t come from an easy life; it comes from belonging to God. But there’s another layer to this that’s been on my mind: gratitude.
Psychologists and medical researchers have been studying thankfulness for years, and their findings all point in the same direction. People who practice gratitude – even simple habits like writing down a few blessings or pausing to thank someone – consistently report more happiness, less depression, and greater resilience in hard times. Gratitude even shows up in physical health: better sleep, lower stress, improved heart health, and stronger relationships. It seems that a thankful heart really does make for a healthier life.
But I don’t need a study to convince me. Who has more reason to be thankful than I do? God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, children who make me proud, and grandchildren who light up my world – even the ones I don’t get to see very often. Add to that the gift of belonging to Christ, forgiveness, adoption into God’s family, and the hope of eternity . . . I could spend a lifetime giving thanks and never run out of reasons.
Gratitude doesn’t erase difficulties. Life is still messy, and some days are heavy. But thankfulness reframes how I see the world. Instead of focusing only on what’s broken, I remember what God has done, what He is doing, and what He has promised. That alone brings joy.
So, as I think back on my own video about happiness – you can watch it below, I realize it’s not just a message for others – it’s a message for me. Gratitude fuels joy, and joy reminds me of the One who gave me every good gift. Let this encourage your heart today.
Happiness can feel slippery in a world that measures it by comfort, success, or circumstances. But for those in Christ, joy runs deeper. In Are You Happy, Now?, we look at what it means to be God’s own people—adopted into His family, secure in His promises, and carried by His Spirit. The truth is, Christians are not the most joyful because life is easy, but because we belong to God, and His love places eternity in our hearts.
Are You Happy, Now
We often hear Jesus’ words in Matthew 17:20 explained as a call to have even the smallest amount of faith – “faith the size of a mustard seed.” And that’s true, but there may be more to the picture than we usually imagine. Mustard plants weren’t admired in Israel; they were considered invasive. Once they took root, they spread wildly and were nearly impossible to control. That may be exactly the kind of image Jesus had in mind: not fragile faith, but faith that refuses to stay contained. In this video, I explore what it might mean to have faith that grows, spreads, and multiplies until even mountains must move.
Mustard Seed Faith
Sometimes the best lessons come from the simplest stories. Gideon’s army didn’t win with strength or numbers—they won by breaking pitchers, letting their light shine, and sounding the trumpet. That picture still speaks to us today. I recently created the video, “Breaking Pitchers, Sharing Light” set against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset at Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, CA. My hope is that these visuals and words remind us to let Christ’s light shine in our lives and to share His good news with clarity and courage.
Breaking Pitchers, Sharing Light
Bad news seems to dominate our world. Headlines scream fear, conversations spiral into worry, and our own hearts can feel the weight of uncertainty. Yet Scripture reminds us, “He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh” (Psalm 112:7). As Christians, we’re called to a different response – one rooted in trust, steadiness, and the confidence that God is always at work.
I created two versions of this message – one text-based and one narrated. Both explore what it means to face life’s hardest moments with unshaken faith, remembering that in Christ, even the darkest headline never has the final word.
Bad News? (Text Ver)
Bad News? (Narr ver)
What does true freedom look like? For many, freedom means living without limits or restraints. But the Bible shows us something deeper: freedom in Christ is not fragile, temporary, or based on circumstances – it’s permanent, abundant, and secure. In Him, we are free from guilt, free to rest in God’s promises, and free to come boldly to the throne of grace. This video, True Freedom, is a visual reminder that the liberty Christ gives is unlike anything the world can offer – it is rooted in His love and guaranteed by His Word.
Steven Stoops -- TUCOR Five One Seven Productions 
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