Set your Affection

Where is your affection? No really, I mean it. Think about it. Where is your affection? What are you actively concerned about? What do your actions have to say about that? What are you constantly thinking about? What is your mind on?

Me? oh, yeah.... not on what's it's supposed to be most of the time. I have to admit, I have been thinking a whole lot about my future... in a worried way, like will I ever get married? (even though I'm only sixteen, yes, I think about this...) like, will I ever have kids? like, will I be able to afford college? like, will I ever be able to go to Paris (okay, now we're getting a little off-track...)

The point is, my mind is not usually where it should be. Sometimes it is... but lately, not so much. Worry squirms its slimy way into my mind and expands until all other things are completely minimized. And then I feel like I'm walking around trying, trying, trying so hard to squeeze under the worry and dwell on something worthwhile, but the honest truth of the matter is that when worry is in a small part of my mind, it's in every part of my mind. And I don't like it, but for some reason I want to hang on to it. Maybe it's a control thing, I don't know. But I know that worry is no good.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

-Colossians 3:2

We've been studying this verse a lot in girls' group the past couple of weeks... And I've been thinking about worry. I don't think it quite fits in with the "things above..." It fits in a bit more with the flesh. The Greek word used in the previous verse for "set your affection" is phroneo, which is the same word that pops up in Romans 8:5-

"They that are of the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, and they that are of the Spirit the things of the Spirit."

You know what I don't see in that verse? I don't see "they that live in the 21st century may mind the things of the flesh and the Spirit cooperatively." No. Ya either mind the things of the flesh, or the things of the Spirit. Those of the Spirit are called to mind the things of the Spirit. No worry allowed. As a matter of fact, Christ tells us to cast all our worries on Him...

"Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."

-1 Peter 5:7

And I think I just hit an analogy. Have you ever gone fishing? I haven't. So maybe I don't have the liberty to use that as an analogy... But I'm pretty sure this verse means to completely give all our worries to God ;)

Rewind. There's another one here that I'm sure I understand.... When I read "Set your affection on things above..." it comes to my mind that there are different setting I can have my mind on. For example, picture a metal lever with a big red ball for a handle on the end of it. This lever is coming out of a wall with writing next to the lever. The lever can be moved to stay in one of two modes: the fleshy mode, and the Spiritual mode. Now picture that lever coming out of the side of your head, wired to your mind inside. It's your choice every moment of every day what setting you want your mind to be on... Whatever you choose, you will dwell on things pertaining to that mode. We might say that the result of each of the "modes" is revealed through an attitude, and further revealed through what actions are prevalent in our day. Now actually picture that lever on the side of your head right this very minute. What setting is it on???

You can tell by your attitude or your actions from a few minutes ago... Were they resembling the things of the earth, or the things above? Were they representing fleshly things, or Spiritual things? 

Don't be afraid to admit it if your mind is set on things on the earth right now... We have all been there many times and God already knows. Just grab that lever (FIGURATIVELY) and push it on up to the Spiritual mode. Ask God to change your thoughts, attitudes, and actions to bring glory to Him, instead of yourself.

If your at all struggling with this, read right on down through Colossians 3. The chapter talks all about the flesh vs. the Spirit. Take the time now and refocus on the things of God. It'll be worth it.

*Manufacturer's note: One of my creations once said... "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." The lever to your mind tends to naturally pop back to fleshly mode, because that is your human nature. You can keep this from occurring by continually focusing on the things of the Spirit and let the Spirit have rule in your hearts. If at any time your mind pops back into fleshly mode, you can simply refocus on Spiritual things. If you would like to know what these are, read Colossians chapter 3 in your manufacturer's manual; this will explain further the fleshly things and the Spiritual things.