Joy in 2026
As I look ahead to 2026, the word that continues to rise to the surface is Joy — not the fleeting kind tied to circumstances, but a deeper, steadier joy. The kind that is cultivated from the inside out and supported by Gratitude.
Interestingly, the American Psychological Association defines joy as closely connected to well-being and life satisfaction. That definition resonates deeply with me. Joy isn’t just a momentary emotion; it’s a way of experiencing life that reflects inner peace, meaning, and contentment — even when life is imperfect.
The verse guiding me this year comes from Romans:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
This verse feels like both an anchor and a compass for the year ahead.
Joy Is Not the Same as Happiness
In The Book of Joy, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share a powerful distinction: happiness is often circumstantial and dependent on outside forces, while joy is something deeper and more enduring.
Happiness may come and go based on what’s happening around us — successes, comfort, stability, or ease. Joy, however, is an inside-out practice. It’s rooted in perspective, meaning, faith, and gratitude. This understanding has shifted how I approach my own emotional and spiritual well-being.
Joy doesn’t deny hardship — it coexists with it.
Joyful in Hope
Being joyful in hope means choosing to believe that healing, growth, and purpose are still unfolding, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Hope doesn’t always arrive with clarity or confidence. Sometimes it shows up quietly — as resilience, perseverance, or the willingness to keep moving forward. Joy grows when we allow hope to take root, trusting that what we cannot yet see is still being formed. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
This kind of joy is less about outcomes and more about trust or faith.
Patient in Affliction
Affliction is part of the human experience — grief, loss, change, emotional pain, and seasons of waiting. Patience in affliction is not about rushing healing or minimizing pain. It’s about staying present with ourselves and allowing growth to happen in its own time.
When joy is rooted in gratitude, it becomes steadier. Gratitude reminds us of what is still meaningful, still supporting us, and still available — even in difficult seasons. Joy matures through patience. Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:19 NIV
Faithful in Prayer
Prayer is where joy and gratitude meet.
Being faithful in prayer doesn’t require perfect words. It requires honesty and consistency — showing up as we are. Prayer becomes a space to reflect, release, listen, and realign. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up, Luke 18:1 NIV
Through prayer, gratitude becomes a daily practice rather than a reaction to good circumstances. And when gratitude grows, joy becomes more resilient.
Romans 12: A Blueprint for Living Well
Romans 12 offers a powerful guide for how we are called to live — with humility, love, patience, service, and compassion. It emphasizes not only personal faith, but how we treat others and show up in community.
Joy and gratitude are not just inner experiences; they are expressed outwardly through kindness, empathy, generosity, and grace. Romans 12 reminds us that faith is lived, not just believed.
Carrying Joy and Gratitude Into 2026
As I step into 2026, my intention is to practice joy as a daily posture:
• To nurture well-being and life satisfaction, not perfection
• To practice gratitude consistently, not conditionally
• To respond to myself and others with compassion and patience
Reflection and Journaling Prompt
Where might you be relying on circumstances for happiness instead of cultivating joy from within?
How could gratitude support your well-being, patience, and hope in the year ahead?
Spend a few moments reflecting on Romans 12:12 and notice which word speaks most clearly to you right now: joyful, patient, or faithful.