The Joy ModelSample

Romans 12:2 calls us to renew our minds. This happens when we replace the values and lies of the popular culture—and our past—with the values and truth found in God’s Word. Our minds—and lives—will start to transform as we expose ourselves to, marinate in, and take action on those truths.

Here’s how it works:

1. Our lives won’t change until we change what we focus on and put our energy into.

2. Our focus and energy won’t change unless what we value in life changes.

3. Our values won’t change unless our thinking changes.

4. Our thinking won’t change unless we start putting the right stuff into our brains in the first place.

It’s a pretty simple sequence when you think about it. Garbage in. Garbage out.

The apostle Paul spoke to this in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Are those the kinds of things we see in the daily news or hear on the radio or read on the Internet?

The apostle Paul clarified the power of abiding in these godly things in the next verse: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (v. 9, emphasis added).

Putting things into practice (i.e., Doing) will contribute to joy, but don’t get sucked into thinking godly performance is the pinnacle of joy. That’ll get you headed toward the Weary Worker syndrome. There is sufficient joy in just Being with God: “In thy presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11 KJV).