Our mindset plays a critical role in our spiritual growth and development. That's why the Bible spills considerable ink, talking about where we should or fix our minds. Paul’s concept of setting our minds on the things above closely relates to the concept of abiding in Christ (John 15:1-5). Abiding in Christ requires both acknowledging God's presence and depending on him throughout the day.
Now some may ask, “How can I turn my attention to the things above when things like work, school, or taking care of children occupy most of my attention?” Three things come to mind.
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As we undergo suffering, it’s natural to ask ourselves or God. “Why is this happening?” We need to wrestle with this question. But often the answers to this question remain hidden from sight till years later. And often the complete answer doesn’t become available this side of eternity. But sometimes we insist God tell us “why.”
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Scripture gives us our moral bearing. It orients us to what’s right and wrong. For example, Paul says, ‘I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “Do not covet”’ (Romans 7:7). If God didn’t reveal his moral will, we would stagger from sea to sea searching for it. Yet, we would never find it.
Sin has damaged our moral compass. We need an external objective reference point whereby we can judge our thoughts, attitudes and actions. When pilots fly in poor weather conditions, they’re prone to what flight experts call “spatial disorientation.”
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