One thing was clear to Jesus: His mission to the world was not going to be a pleasant one, it was a mission to suffer and die. Knowing this, He armed Himself with a mind ready to suffer. It is this same readiness of mind to suffer that we are asked to be armed with. This is a made up mind that is ready to suffer whatsoever the Lord allows to come our way for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the bible says that those who overcame the devil loved not their lives, even unto death, this is what made it possible for them to do so: they armed themselves with a mind ready to suffer whatever came their way in following Jesus. This is what it means to have the same mind as Christ. Even if the opportunity to suffer never shows up, God regards this state of mind as one that has suffered for Christ's sake.
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2
He that has armed his mind with a readiness to suffer has freed himself from the snare of the fear of men, and has positioned himself to do the will of God, no matter what it may cost him. Such a person no longer lives to please men, but God. This is the value of arming oneself with the same mind as Christ who readily offered Himself to suffer for us, just as we are to arm ourselves with a mind ready to suffer following Him.
Toni
