Isaiah 26:3
Philippians 4:6-7

My joy, my peace are no one’s responsibility but my own.

I place too great an expectation on any person (including myself) if I hold them responsible for being my joy and my peace. No. That joy and that peace are too fragile. They are shallowly rooted in an imperfect source and can blow away with a single breath.

It’s my responsibility. And no harsh or unkind word, no rejection, no injustice committed by anyone can rob me of my joy and my peace . . . unless I let it.

You see, my joy stems from my love relationship with the God-man, Jesus Christ. It’s much like a human love relationship. There is joy mingled with the anticipation of being together, talking to each other, sharing, touching, giving. But it isn’t fragile like a human love relationship.

My joy is, in great part, security. Knowing that I am loved and that this Person to whom I have given my love returns that love to me — more so than I can comprehend. Knowing that He will be faithful to me forever and that He will never, never leave me.

My peace is basically trust in the One who brings me joy.

If I will think on these things instead of on my circumstances or the people around me, instead of majoring on the mistakes and misjudgments of others, instead of focusing on my feelings rather than on His promises to me, then my joy and peace will remain unscathed. But it is up to me, for only I control my thought processes.

What I put in my mind is like what I put in my mouth. I choose what goes into that “open cave,” and when I do, it becomes a part of my system. I have to use sound thinking and strict discipline, or I’ll stuff myself, or eat greasy things that upset my stomach, or drink too much caffeine and make my night short, or eat a lot of sweets that cause blemishes on my face.

They say, “You are what you eat.” I don’t disagree with that. But I don’t believe it’s the most important fact. “You are what you think.” That’s most important, for you will “life-out” whatever you believe about yourself . . . and believing is a function of your mind.

Your thoughts make up your world.

What do you want your world to be?