"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Col.3:1-2)
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." (Rom.8:5)
You know it's funny. Lately, it seems like everywhere I go, folks are complaining about the hot weather. Okay, duh, it's late July in North Carolina...so it's steamy and stifling most of the time. And yes, it's not tons of fun to get in your furnace-like car to run an errand and burn your "sit-upon" the moment you get in. And yes, this is some serious sweatin' weather, no doubt about it.
But here's the thing: along about January, everywhere you go, people will be moaning and groaning about the cold, the ice, and the grey. (And in the interest of full disclosure, yours truly--who is NOT a winter gal--will be Numero Uno in the complaint department.) So people, are we never satisfied? Will we always simply default to grumbling over the weather...or the traffic...or the busyness of life...or the political climate...or the whatever??
Seriously, where does all that complaining get us? Does it help? Does the temperature somehow mysteriously drop a few degrees if we whine about it? Are we better able to cope with life's minor or major difficulties in a pervasive atmosphere of fussing and fretting?
I think we all know the answer to those questions. Because as the Bible tells us over and over again, our mindset is key. Will we set our minds on things above or on things below? Will we set our minds on the things of the flesh (with it's continual tendency to complain) or on the things of the Spirit? Will we allow our minds to simply drift along with the sewage-like stream of our grumbling, ever-discontented culture or will we consistently go to God's Word so that our minds will be renewed and we will be transformed? Transformed into people of joy, hope, peace, love, grace, forgiveness...in other words, transformed more and more into the image of Jesus.
Enough of the grumbling over the weather. Enough of the complaining about everything under the sun. (I'm preaching to myself, by the way). Let's choose to fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb.12:1-2). Let's choose to renew our minds in His Word. Let's choose to set our minds on things above. Let's choose to think about--and discuss--whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Phil.4:8). Let's choose to use our mouths to build up, encourage, and thank rather than tear down, discourage, and complain.
And it all starts with one tiny choice at a time. One decision to read the Word rather than scroll the internet. One decision--on a moment by moment basis--to set our minds on Christ and on things above rather than things below. One decision to count our blessings rather than list our complaints. One decision to speak words of gratitude rather than words of dissatisfaction.
No matter how hard or challenging or painful our circumstances, the one thing we always have is the choice as to how we will respond. We choose how we will set our minds. We choose the words we will speak--whether words of gratitude or grumbling.
So how about we start today? Right now, in fact. Thank You, Lord, for the bright, hot sun that gives life and light to this lovely earth You've given us. Thank You for the beach, the mountains, the pool, the ice cream place, the air conditioning that provide us wonderful respites from the heat. Thank You for the more relaxed pace of summer. Thank You for children that are home during these months. Thank You for the change of seasons. Thank You for Your Word that renews our minds and transforms our attitudes. Thank You most of all for Your Son, the Lord Jesus, who is with us through all of life's ups and downs, in season and out of season, in all the highs and lows.
Father, keep us fixed on You. Keep us in Your Word. Keep us thankful. Keep us focused on things above. And keep us speaking words of grace and gratitude to everyone we meet.
To God be the glory.
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