Single Mind

Joy unlike happiness is not an emotion, joy is a mindset. I was always under the impression that joy was an emotion and was just a better emotion than happiness. I struggled with trying to "feel" joyful while going through hard times. I did not know until I started studying the book of Philippians that joy is something that is constant in the mist of ever changing circumstances. I could be going through horrendous trials and testing, pain and suffering  and still be joyful in the middle of all the stress and heartache. Again, because joy is a state of mind. God does not change our mind, only we can do that. On the flip side, we can not change our heart...only God can do that. He won't change our mind, but as we begin to change the way think towards a situation or person, God changes our heart towards that situation or person. That is why Jesus tells us to love out enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Paul also tells us in Romans to bless those who persecute us. Once I choose to love, pray and bless those who I might find unlovable...God begins to change my heart towards that person. In the mist of our strife we will begin to find joy!

That is why the Apostle Paul in a prison cell, chained to a Roman guard, and wondering if he will be set free or beheaded, could write a letter to the Church in Philippi about joy. Paul understood that joy happens in the mind; so He tells us what type of mindset we are to have. The first is a Single Mind.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" - Philippians 1:21

The singleness of mind that Paul is encouraging us to have is this: In everything I do, in whatever life throws at me...even if I die because of it...live a life solely dedicated to Jesus! The mental focus of some today is: "To live is to acquire wealth, and to die is to leave it for my children to fight over", still some may say "To live is for pleasure, and to die is nothingness", yet others will say "To live is to be famous, and to die is leave my mark and a legacy". Paul is telling us that for him, the purpose of his life is for the glory and service of Jesus Christ and at the end of his life of complete surrender to Jesus he will be face to face with his Lord and Savior...which is the ultimate reward for a life devoted to Him.

When our focus is on serving Jesus and ministering to others in His name, (understanding that He uses the enemy's attacks and difficult times in our lives to minister to others and to bring Him glory) then it becomes hard for us to focus on the ever changing circumstances around us. Which is how we can be joyful. I am not saying that life will be free of trials or pain...they will still be apart of our life. However, they will not be what is on our mind or consuming our thoughts. Rather, we will be a person with a mind focused on one thing...living for Jesus Christ!