Before closing the study of joy from Philippians, I want to go back and focus on a few power-packed scriptures from this short book that’s written about an unlikely perspective- joy, found in an unlikely place- prison.
I say unlikely because for me I tend to equate the presence of joy with circumstantial ease. You probably do as well. That’s why we spend so much time and energy trying to control and manage our circumstances or environments so that we experience ease, comfort, and peace.
Paul is teaching us something different in Philippians. He’s teaching and living as an example of the truth that real joy is not dependent on or generated from circumstance. We find him over and over in this letter rejoicing even though he has had and is enduring much hardship and trial.
As he’s closing the letter in 4:4, Paul gives the Philippians a pretty tall order-
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
I underlined always because it’s in this word that the difficulty presents itself. As the ESV Bible study note says, “The joy that Paul calls for is not a happiness that depends on circumstances but a deep contentment that is in the Lord, based on trust in the sovereign, living God, and that therefore is available always, even in difficult times.”
Thankfully Paul doesn’t give this instruction without very specific “how-to” help for meeting what most of us would consider a very high standard of conduct. Today’s PIC reminds us that our minds are of great importance in the cultivation and practice of joyful living, and we must be intentionally obedient in what our minds are allowed to think.
A mind set on anything other than God normally results in some kind of what I like to call “stinkin thinkin.” This includes everything from dwelling on a thought that isn’t true, to one that stirs up anxiety and fear, or one that makes grumbling and complaining a regular pattern. It can quickly move to unbelief and full-out rebellion to the things of God.
Paul has a harsh word to say about the mind that is not set on God but instead is set on earthly things. In 3:18-19 he says it this way-
Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
I’ve underlined these verses in my Bible and asked God to remove this “stinkin thinkin” from my mind so that I am not an enemy of Christ but full of God instead.
Praying Philippians 4:8-9 is helping me move in this direction.
I’m adding this card back to my file, and I’m continuing to study the importance of elevating my mind- setting it on the things of God. I’m asking myself a hard question based on the challenge God is putting before me today-
Whatever really matters the most to me today will be what I put my mind on- will it be God or circumstance?
God help me elevate my mind- set it on you- so that I am ready and able to Rejoice- Always!
Daily PICs for Life 