Ever catch yourself staring at your phone for the 50th time today, only to realize you’ve been scrolling past the same worries, distractions, and noise for hours? Yeah, me too. There’s something about the gravitational pull of earthly things that keeps our minds locked in the wrong orbit. But Paul’s words in Colossians 3:2 hit like a cosmic reset button: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Simple? Absolutely. Easy? Not even close.
This isn’t about spiritual multitasking—trying to balance heaven and earth like some sanctified tightrope walker. It’s about recalibrating your entire perspective. Because what you fix your thoughts on determines the trajectory of your life. And if you’re a grace believer, this isn’t a guilt trip; it’s an invitation to live from your real identity.
The Gravity of Earthly Thinking
Let’s be honest: earth is loud. Bills scream. Relationships demand. News cycles spin chaos. Social media dangles comparison like a carrot on a stick. Before you know it, your mind’s default setting is survival mode—anxious, reactive, and glued to the temporary.
But here’s the irony: the more we stare at the storm, the smaller Jesus looks. Peter learned this the hard way. One moment he’s walking on water, eyes locked on Christ; the next, he’s sinking because he shifted focus to the waves (Matthew 14:30). Sound familiar?
Earthly thinking isn’t just about “bad” stuff. Even good things—careers, family, ministry—can become weights if they eclipse eternity. Ever met someone who’s so focused on their calling they forget the Caller? Yeah. That’s why Paul doesn’t say, “Think about heaven sometimes.” He says, Set your minds—like a deliberate, stubborn refusal to let the temporary hijack your peace.
What Does “Things Above” Even Mean?
Good question. It’s not ethereal daydreaming about harps and clouds. “Things above” is code for Christ’s finished work and your position in Him.
→ Your righteousness is already settled. (2 Cor. 5:21) No more performance loops.
→ Your future is secured. (Eph. 2:6) You’re seated with Him—now.
→ Your battles are already won. (Col. 2:15) The enemy’s a defeated footnote.
This isn’t positive thinking; it’s positional thinking. You’re not trying to get God’s approval; you’re living from it. And when that truth sinks in, earthly chaos loses its chokehold.
How to Rewire Your Thought Life (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Let’s get practical. “Set your mind” isn’t a one-time toggle switch; it’s a daily muscle. Here’s how to flex it:
🔹 Interrupt the autopilot. Notice when your thoughts spiral into worry, shame, or comparison. Then pull a Paul: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). No, that doesn’t mean suppressing emotions. It means redirecting them to truth.
🔹 Feed on what lasts. Ever binge-watched Netflix and felt spiritually sluggish afterward? Same principle. Fill your mind with Scripture, worship, or even podcasts that point you Christward. Input determines output.
🔹 Laugh at the absurd. Next time anxiety whispers, “What if everything falls apart?” remind it: “God’s got this, and He’s not nervous.” Humor disarms fear.
🔹 Practice gratitude like a rebel. In a world obsessed with lack, thankfulness is a radical act. Start small: “Thank You that I’m forgiven. That I’m loved. That breakfast was good.”
The Freedom of a Heavenly Mindset
Here’s the beautiful paradox: the more you fix your gaze above, the lighter earthly life becomes. Not because problems vanish, but because your perspective shifts.
You’ll start spotting grace in the grind—like noticing how sunlight hits your kitchen window while you’re doing dishes, or how a friend’s text arrives right when you need it. You’ll trade striving for resting, fear for faith, and legalism for love.
And when life throws a curveball (because it will), you won’t panic. You’ll remember: This isn’t my home. My King’s already won. And He’s got me.
So, where’s your mind parked today? If it’s stuck in the mud of earthly chaos, shift gears. Look up. Breathe deep. And let grace remind you: you’re already seated in heavenly places. Now that’s a view worth living from.