During my quiet time this morning, I wrote in my journal “1 Thessalonians is about having the right mindset.”  Hardly deep theology or worthy of an A+ from a Biblical Studies tutor!  However, that word Mindset got me thinking.

I decided to do some research into what Mindset is and so, I began by doing the worst thing imaginable, I looked on the internet!

A whole host of material flooded back on positive thinking, the mindset of success, the mindset of multiplication, the mindset to improve your golf (yes, there was one called that!!!), Manhood mindset (not as rude as it sounds) and the conquerors mindset.  That was all on page 1 of the search!

Cue : the question “why did I do it?”

The answer I did it because, I was looking for an easy answer, a short cut to easy results to my question.  However, like many a short cut, it lead me on a longer journey!!  Sometimes, the easy answer is not always the most helpful and so, my mindset was to switch off my computer and start again. I turned to the words of the Bible;

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

(Philippians 2 vs. 5)

The word translated as mindset means to be “intensely interest in” or “set your affection on.”  But what does that mean and, how do we live in the light of this?

So, what was the mindset of Christ?

Jesus demonstrated a humility that turned the world’s idea of greatness upside down. He didn’t spend His time demanding attention, insisting on His rights, or making sure everyone knew just how important He was.

Instead, He served others. He showed compassion to the overlooked, welcomed the rejected, washed His disciples’ feet, and ultimately gave His life for us.

Now, that is humility!

When someone takes credit for our hard work, when a family member disagrees with us, or when somebody manages to drive at precisely half the speed limit on a road with no overtaking opportunities, we have a choice.

We can react with irritation, pride, and a determination to prove our point. Or we can pause, take a breath, and ask ourselves, “What would it look like to respond with the mind of Christ?”

Just to be clear, having the mind of Christ doesn’t mean we must never disagree, never speak up, or become a doormat for everyone else’s opinions. Jesus certainly wasn’t afraid to speak the truth! It means allowing His love, humility, patience, and wisdom to shape the way we respond.

Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less

Sometimes we confuse humility with having a poor opinion of ourselves. We imagine that being humble means pretending we have no gifts, no abilities, and no value.

But that isn’t what Jesus teaches us.

True humility isn’t thinking that we are worthless. It’s recognising that our worth comes from God, so we don’t have to spend every waking moment proving ourselves to everyone else.

We can celebrate someone else’s success without feeling threatened. We can admit we’re wrong without our world collapsing. We can serve quietly without needing a round of applause.

And we can even laugh at ourselves when we make a mistake!

After all, God isn’t asking us to be perfect performers in a religious talent show. He’s inviting us to become more like Jesus, one ordinary day at a time.

A little more Jesus in everyday life

So how can we put Philippians 2 vs.5 into practice?

1. Pause before you react.

Before sending that slightly sharp message, making that cutting remark, or delivering your famous “I told you so,” take a moment. Ask God to help you respond with grace rather than irritation.

Sometimes the most Christlike thing we can do is count to ten. Or twenty. Or 50. Or…. You get the picture!

2. Be willing to say, “I’m sorry.”

Those two little words can sometimes feel enormous! Yet a humble apology can mend relationships, soften hearts, and open the door to healing.

We don’t lose our dignity by admitting we’ve made a mistake. Often, we demonstrate far more strength by doing so.

3. Celebrate others.

When someone else receives the opportunity, recognition, or blessing you were hoping for, resist the temptation to compare your journey with theirs.

God hasn’t run out of goodness just because someone else has received a blessing!

Learn to rejoice with others, encourage them sincerely, and trust that God is working in your own life too.

4. Remember that we’re all still learning.

Developing the mind of Christ is a lifelong journey. Some days we’ll respond beautifully. Other days we’ll realise, halfway through a conversation, that our attitude needs a little spiritual adjustment.

When that happens, don’t give up. Come back to Jesus, receive His grace, and begin again.

Growing in Christ isn’t about pretending we’ve arrived. It’s about remaining willing to follow Him.

The freedom of humility

There’s something wonderfully freeing about not needing to win every argument, impress every person, or have the final word.

When we rest in God’s love, we can stop treating life as a competition. We can become more patient, more generous, and more willing to put the needs of others alongside our own.

And perhaps we’ll discover that a little less pride leaves room for a lot more joy!

Imagine what our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities might look like if we all made it our daily prayer to have the mind of Christ.

There would be more listening and less shouting. More encouragement and less criticism. More serving and less self-promotion.

And possibly fewer arguments over who loaded the dishwasher incorrectly!

Of course, we won’t get everything right. But we have a Saviour who shows us the way, gives us grace when we stumble, and patiently teaches us to become more like Him.

So today, let’s ask ourselves a simple question:

Am I trying to make everyone see things my way, or am I allowing Jesus to shape the way I see others?

It is a question worth carrying into our conversations, our decisions, our relationships, and even those moments when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Because the mind of Christ isn’t just something we admire on a Sunday. It’s something we can practise on a Monday morning, in the supermarket queue, around the dinner table, and wherever God places us.

A final thought

Philippians 2 vs.5 reminds us that following Jesus isn’t merely about what we believe; it’s also about the attitude we carry into everyday life.

We may not always get it right, but with God’s help, we can keep growing in humility, love, and grace.

So let’s go into today with open hearts, willing hands, and a willingness to laugh at ourselves along the way.

After all, the world doesn’t need more people determined to prove they’re right. It needs more people who look a little more like Jesus.

And that, dear friends, is a wonderful place to start!