Life has good times and bad times. Circumstances are coming at you every day. Some are truly difficult. Most negative circumstances are created by negative experiences with people. Others are caused by external factors that are out of our control. You can’t change your circumstances, but you can shift your mindset in response to them. 

I completed The Master’s Program in 2007. The program introduced me to a new way of thinking about life – eternal thinking. Eternal thinking transforms your view of life. It shifts what’s important because of eternity. It also shifts your perception of your role here and now. This opened the door for me to choose joy.

My first decision about joy and forming a positive mindset was how to respond to that famous question you’re asked every day: “How are you doing?” I realize an honest response and assessment is important. But this is where most get it wrong. Given eternal realities and my American existence, my answer is clear, “I’m doing amazing!”

At first, I had to work to have genuine feelings around this response. It felt like acting. But the phrase “I’m doing amazing,” led to inquiries as to why. This question forced me to consider all the positive things about life. Over 15 years later, I can report that I have a full-throated confidence that I am doing amazing. Blessing upon blessing comes to mind when asked. My mind has completely shifted to the positive. 

My joy has risen to new heights with difficult trials. Jesus’ joy helped him endure severe torture. His eternal thinking was squarely in play. We can be like Him with a joyful mindset. The apostle James says to consider it pure joy when you face many trials (James 1:2). He says that this is going to develop perseverance and eventually perfection. I was challenged by this. 

Can you experience joy in a trial? I have proved that it can be done over and over. But you must be diligent to choose a joyful mindset with each negative circumstance. With an eternal mindset, we must focus on the reality that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). If it’s not good yet, He’s not done.  

When a trial comes, I look for the upgrade. This is my way of believing that God will leverage any evil in my favor – as long as I am following Jesus and His ways.  

I recently shared about my wife Nancy being diagnosed with cancer. It was extremely difficult news. But we have trained our minds to choose joy.  We began to ask God how this circumstance would upgrade us.  

Nancy is now cancer-free! Countless miracles transpired. But this is not the best part. The best part is all the upgrades we received in the process. Our faith was tested. The enemy wanted us to wallow in despair. Instead, Nancy got a new life perspective that inspires more intentionality in her conversations. Her brush with eternity has made it more real. Her priorities have shifted in heavenly ways. Her accelerated growth in her relationship with Jesus is obvious. She is leaning more into the gifts God has given her. She has been fully upgraded!

How about you? Does it sound impossible to experience joy in the trial? It was a long process of mind transformation, but it is possible. When you choose joy, you are choosing thankfulness over fear. Fear is about the uncertainty of the future. Thankfulness is about what God has already done in your past. And He will do it again!

Start your journey to pure joy today. Make it practical. Dedicate your mind to a focus on thankfulness and all the good things that God has given you. Transform how you see everything with a decision to choose joy.

In your corner,
Rob

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