Set Your Mind

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise–dwell on these things.”

Phillippians 4:8

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

We can easily focus on the difficulties in our lives, and on the things we can’t control. If we want to make changes, we have to determine what didn’t work and which issues we can influence. Sounds logical.

We can ask the Lord for guidance daily, knowing that He cares for us and wants what’s best for us. We can give Him the burdens that are not ours to change at this time and ask for His help by providing us with patience and understanding while we wait and pray. He has plans for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

Though we need to take action to work through our problems, we benefit from spending the majority of our time focused on gratitude. Not in a super sweet way, but by focusing on the Lord and His truths. We need to fill our minds with gratitude and positive, life giving thoughts:
“Thank You, Lord, for another day of life!”
“Thank You for those who surround me with love.”
“I am a child of God and He loves me.”
“With the Lord’s help, I will get through this difficulty.”
“I can move forward today by _______.”
“Our Lord will reign forever!”

When we fill our minds with gratitude, God gives us patience, compassion, and the ability to persevere while helping others we meet.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving us sound minds and the ability to change our thinking. Thank You for the Bible and our ability to meditate on Your Words, which are true, noble, and kind. Thank You that we can share our burdens with You, knowing that You will guide us to take actions when possible, and provide us with peace and patience while we wait and pray.
In Christ’s name, Amen.

Journal:
Spend some extra time today connecting with your inner thoughts. Are they positive and life giving? Which thoughts need to be replaced with positive truths that are consistent with God’s Word?

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash