Renew Your MindSýnishorn

Day 10: Set Your Mind on Things Above

Scripture:
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." – Colossians 3:1–2 (NIV)

Devotional:

Have you ever noticed how what you focus on determines how you feel, what you pursue, and even how you interpret the world? Focus is powerful. Paul urges us to set our minds, not occasionally glance, not sporadically consider, but to set, like anchoring a compass, on things above.

But this command isn’t grounded in obligation but identity: “Since you have been raised with Christ…” In other words, your life has a new center of gravity because you’ve been united with Jesus in His resurrection. You’re no longer tethered to the old life or the world's ways. You’ve been raised, so it only makes sense that your focus should rise.

Paul echoes this dual command:

• Set your heart on the things above.
• Set your mind on the things above.

The heart speaks to your affections, desires, and longings. The mind says to your thoughts, logic, and perspective. Both must be pointed in the same direction: upward, toward Christ.

Why does this matter? Because our natural default is to focus on earthly things: the pressures of today, the fears of tomorrow, the opinions of others, the comfort we crave, or the comparison that leaves us discontent. If we don’t intentionally redirect our focus, our minds will be dragged down by what is temporary instead of lifted by what is eternal.

But when you set your mind on things above:

• You view your struggles in light of eternity.
• You measure your decisions against God’s kingdom values, not the world’s approval.
• You remember that Christ is seated, ruling, reigning, and unshaken.
• You focus on the One who never changes, even when everything else does.

Setting your mind isn’t a one-time action. The word “set” in Greek implies a continual, active pursuit. It’s like tuning a radio to a specific frequency. If you drift, the signal fades. So you keep adjusting, day after day, moment by moment.

So, how do we do that practically?

1. Begin your day with heaven’s perspective. Lift your eyes before you leave your bed and begin encountering or solving problems. Pray. Read Scripture. Acknowledge Christ as King.
2. Filter your thoughts through eternal truth. Ask yourself: Does this matter in light of eternity? Is this drawing me closer to Christ?
3. Surround yourself with reminders. Keep verses, worship music, or Christ-centered conversations in your daily rhythm. They keep your spiritual compass calibrated.
4. Redirect your thoughts when they wander. This redirection isn’t failure; it’s formation. When you catch your mind drifting to fear, envy, or negativity, gently reset it on the things of God.
5. Remember where Christ is. He’s not just above in location; He’s above in authority. He’s seated in victory. That means your focus isn’t just on heaven; it’s on the victorious King who has already overcome.

Let today be a reset. Let it be a conscious choice to take your gaze off the ground and fix it on the throne. You’ve been raised, so lift your thoughts to where Christ is. When your mind is set on Him, the world's clutter fades, and clarity takes root. You’ll begin to think, speak, and live as someone who belongs not to the fleeting but to the forever.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you that I’ve been raised with you and that my actual life is now hidden in you. Help me set my heart and mind on things above, not on the temporary distractions of this world, but on the eternal reality of your kingdom. Fix my focus. Redirect my thoughts. Let everything I do today flow from a mind anchored in you. It is in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.