What’s the setting on my heart?
According to Ephesians our hearts have eyes because how we feel often determines what we see (chapter 1).
Sometimes I set my heart on other people’s approval, I set my heart on accolades, or I even set my heart on having a clean house. We all know that last one is quick to disappoint. If you have children, it may only last 15 minutes. But I repeatedly set my heart on these things. I set my heart on my own accomplishments when those are always going to fall short of my expectations. Jesus’ accomplishments never fall short of my expectation.
When I set my heart on the eternal, I’m securing my expectations. I will not be disappointed.
I can set myself up for failure, or I can set my mind on the Spirit.
“For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5&6
I don’t know about you, but my attitude can hit rock bottom at an alarming rate of speed. This makes me extra thankful for a reset button.
Ephesians 4:23 says we can, “be renewed in the spirit of your minds” and the message translation says, “let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” The italicized words speak of some of the most refreshing truths. The Prefix re means again. My mind can be renewed again. When I fail to set my mind on the Spirit, there is a reset. Because the Holy Spirit lives inside me; He’s like my own reset button just waiting to renew my thoughts and attitudes.
Now, I have to allow myself to use it. I have to give myself permission to fail and then get back up because the person who is hardest on me is…me. God has no illusions about me; He knows I’m human and loves me anyway. I have all kinds of delusions of grandeur, which cause me to fall pretty hard when I don’t meet my expectations. That’s why those words renew and reset and are so precious to me.
When I fail because I set my heart on the flesh, I can reset. I can reset my mind on the Spirit, He can direct my heart and renew my thoughts and attitudes.
When I set my heart on the eternal, I’m securing my expectations. I will not be disappointed.
Father, help me recognize the setting of my heart. Help me allow myself to walk in your grace and hit the reset when I've set my heart on things that will only disappoint. Help me set my mind on the Spirit for life and peace so that my thoughts and attitudes can be renewed. In Jesus name, Amen.