Set Your Mind Toward Joy

As we come to the end of our study, you might be wondering, What now? Where do I go from here? Well, the most important advice I can give you is to set your mind on being joyful, and don’t let it be swayed. As I like to say, “Where the mind goes, the man follows.” A made-up mind is very powerful. Because what we think about determines the quality of our life. When we think joyful thoughts, we live a joyful life.

The Amplified Classic Version of the Bible is the only one I know of that reads, “And set your minds and keep them set on what is above” (emphasis mine). Setting our minds on the right thing once or twice won’t do us much good, but if we set them in the right direction and keep them set—without wavering—we will live in strength and victory.

When Paul urges us to set our minds and keep them set “on what is above (the higher things),” he means that if we want to live a high life—a life that honors God—we cannot think about things that are low, common or ungodly. Low thoughts include thinking about what you don’t have, instead of what you do have…or thinking about people who have things you would like, and saying they don’t deserve them. Jealousy, pride, anger, comparison, and judgment are low, along with holding grudges against people instead of forgiving them.

High thinking is the opposite of low thinking. When your thoughts are set on things above, you thank God for every blessing you do have instead of complaining about what you don’t have. You rejoice with others over their successes. You encourage people who are pursuing what you would like to do or what you would like to have instead of secretly hoping they don’t get it. You choose peace over anger, humility over pride, mercy over judgment, and forgiveness over unforgiveness. You think the best—not the worst—about everyone. The fact of the matter is: high thoughts lead to joy. There are many other ways to think high thoughts, but I believe these examples will help get you started.

As you move forward, I want to encourage you to set your mind on being joyful—and keep it set. Don’t give in to doubt. The apostle James says, The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind… (James 1:6 NIV). Once you’ve explored your options, prayed, sought God’s will, and made a decision about a matter, you can set your mind firmly on that course of action. Because when you have a made-up mind, and you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior with the Holy Spirit to help guide you, there is nothing you cannot do through Christ. You may not have victory overnight, but you will have it eventually. So go out and set your mind on the high things—the joyful things—and never give up!

_{Adapted from the book Be Joyful by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2022 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.}