Focus on What Is Good and True

To the Colossian church, Paul said, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Nice! I’d love to only think about lovely and pure things, but I do still have to think about dinner and whether that check has been processed and when the doctor’s office is going to call me back. I do have to think about whether I have time to thaw the frozen meat so we can eat before our evening events. My mind is full, just like my calendar.

Also, I don’t know about you, but my mind doesn’t always go to lovely and admirable first. My mind can be grumbly and argumentative, consumed with my problems or pain, focused on fixing my frustrations, planning how to create peace in my own strength, and purposing how to achieve my own plans. My thoughts can be so earthly focused that I forget heavenly truth.

It’s not reasonable to believe we can ignore our problems and to-do lists and automatically find peace and rest. After all, things still need to get done! But next time you feel your thoughts spinning, take a deep breath and consider just how much God loves you and is with you. Take Paul’s advice and dwell on things above, if even for just a moment. The more we practice this habit, the easier it will become—and the lighter our loads will seem when we visualize ourselves handing them over to the One who promises His yoke is easy.

Reflect:

What mindset shift begins to happen when you choose to dwell on “things above”? How does it feel to take a breath and picture God taking your heavy load into his own arms?

Pray:

Lord, please ease my spirit and lighten my mental burdens. Help me to dwell on heavenly things so I may remember that the whole world rests in your capable hands. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.