Setting Our Minds On Things Above

Have you ever stopped to think back to what thoughts you were thinking throughout the day? Research says on average we can have between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day. I wonder how many of our thoughts are of heavenly minded things versus from our flesh. Are you setting your mind on things above? 

I found myself feeling angry and bitter about someone even though my actions didn't show it. If you've been a Christian long enough, you can get good at "acting" nice, but what about your heart? 

I was responding with kindness to this person even though they were throwing harsh accusations at me, but at the end of the day, I found myself angry, exhausted, and annoyed. I didn't know how to get rid of the bitterness or if it could ever be taken away. 

I then ran into Colossians 3:2 which says, "set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

It was at that moment when I realized all the bitterness and anger was because I chose to dwell and entertain the negative thoughts and hurt I experienced. If I wanted to forgive this person and truly heal, I had to make the decision to let go of the negative thoughts and set my mind on Jesus. 

The more I fixed my gaze on Jesus and His love for me, the less I felt hurt. It was as if Jesus was the medicine to numb all the pain I had experienced. 

Instead of entertaining the negative thoughts I had, I replaced them with thoughts of the goodness and favor of God over my life. I reminded myself of the grace that Jesus freely gave me even though I didn't deserve it. I was unworthy, yet Jesus willingly gave up his life so that I could have eternal life with him.  

At the end of all of this, I was overwhelmed with His love and I had no more room for the pain and anger to linger in my heart. 

When we are overwhelmed by the love of Jesus, it overflows to other areas in our lives despite the conditions we may be in. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 says, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Maybe you're not battling with anger, but what about lust? Greed? Jealousy? Selfish ambition? 

God's love has the power to break every bondage in our lives. His love is beyond what we can comprehend and has the power to transform us into the fullness of God. 

We must be constantly rooted and established in the love of Jesus. How do we become rooted in the love of Jesus? 

It starts with our thoughts. 

We must choose to meditate on scripture and keep our minds occupied with heavenly thoughts. Philippians 4:8 says, "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."

Scripture makes it clear what is of God and what is of our flesh. Galatians 5:19-22 says, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

What do your thoughts consist of? Are you dwelling on fleshly thoughts or on spirit-filled thoughts? Will you choose to drop every negative thought and replace it with God's truth?

It's easy to neglect our thought life. We tend to focus more on our actions and how we feel but rarely do we look back to see what our thoughts were. We must start examining our thoughts because it's the starting point to everything we do and feel. 

You may not be strong enough to fight against your flesh, but Jesus is. You may not be strong enough but the Jesus in you is strong enough. 1 John 4:4 reminds us, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

Don't feel discouraged if you feel far from recovery. Jesus came for that very reason - to save you and to be your strength. His grace is available to those who ask. Ask Jesus to help you in your weaknesses and struggles and He will do just that. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

God will provide a way for you to come out of your weakness in victory. It all starts with your choice to surrender and to set your mind on Jesus. So remember, set your mind on things above.