Christian Writers Circle

Trust God with Thoughts
by Judy Hitson

Colossians 3:2 NASB Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Is your mind set on things above?

I confess my thoughts veer on earthly things. There are times this word of exhortation to set our minds on the things above comes to mind with my guilty pleasure of reality TV. Could it be the Holy Spirit wooing me to come aside from earthly things? I believe so.

Pray for me to obey whenever this nudge of the Spirit comes, to set my mind on things above.

One couple I recall coming to minister at our church impressed me as an example of setting their mind on things above. It is Brian Simmons and his wife Candice. He is lead translator of the Passion Bible translation. What I remember about Candice is how God gives her dreams in the night with revelation and understanding to share a word of the Lord with the church.

When my mind is set on things above, I practice the presence of God in sweet communion with Him. This blesses me to hear His voice. His word comes alive speaking to me in personal ways. Clarity comes as I remember to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10:5. Discerning our thoughts whether of heaven or earth is key and is possible when we trust God with our thoughts.

When my mind is set on things of earth it draws me to things of earth and away from God. For example when watching TV, I get interested in people’s life choices, talents, relationships and careers. With local and world news I view the world’s perspective of current events. Joy Dawson, Bible teacher and speaker, once said if we watch the news on TV, it is to be a prayer list. That was profound to me. When I heed that exhortation it is a blessing as an intercessor to bring heaven on earth through prayer.

Let us be in fellowship with the Lord to see and hear from His perspective and discern earthly things by His Spirit. We can pray and live in the Spirit wherever we are and in whatever we are doing.

Prayer: Father in heaven, set my mind on things above in Your name Jesus and by Your Spirit to give You pleasure with my trust in You to think with the mind of Christ. (I Cor. 2:16). Amen.