Connie received her monthly report of the condition of her blood and the numbers had fallen well below normal. My doctor showed me my recent MRI pictures which revealed I need surgery on my neck. Plus, a good friend’s wife was being checked in for a very serious surgery. That information really messed with our plans to leave town in 4 weeks to see our families on the West Coast. I’m sure many of you have faced such things and much worse.
It reminded me of Paul’s words: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2, ESV) But this is when our mind involuntarily runs off and imagines gloomy scenarios. Right?
I recently learned anxiety is rampant across all age groups, but especially among the 10 to 25-year-olds! What is triggering such anxiety? I suspect it has a lot to do with how we live our lives and what exciting or woeful imaginations set up camp in our minds. An imagination is the act or power of forming a mental image of something not connected to our 5 senses or never wholly perceived in reality. That means when we have a conflict with someone, we have imaginary conversations about what we might say to them. We imagine things about our favorite hobby/sport, health, job, future, relationships, finances and the lists go on.
So, what in the world does what Paul wrote apply to our imaginations? If you noticed in the verse above, Paul is telling us to do something—set your mind. That means it is voluntary, not involuntary. He also says to set your mind on things above. His point is you and I must choose what we will imagine or think about.
What might that look like? You might say it looks like imagining being seated with Christ in Heaven and considering what He might say or show you about your circumstances on earth. When David did this in Psalms 18, he imagined God as his strength, his rock, fortress and the one who rescues him. Can you imagine what mental images went through his mind when he wrote those words? How do you suppose those imaginations affected his stress, mood, or blood pressure? Contrast that with the effects of imagining whatever you worry about, your health, job, finances, or relationships?
Why do you think the Holy Spirit inspired writers to tell us cast our cares upon Him? (Ps 55:22) Don’t be anxious about anything… Or … Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8, NLT2).
In Connie’s and my case, we had to set our mind on who God is and how He is carefully supervising our lives and monitoring what comes our way. Just thinking about that was like lightning comprising peace breaking through the dark storm clouds above us.
Paul wrote what he did to enable us to face and walk with divine peace through whatever this life might throw at us. I don’t know what anxious thoughts you have had come your way. I do know you can use imaginations of God, His faithfulness and goodness to break through the dark clouds in your life. Turn on your imagination and slowly reflect on Psalms 18:3-19. Be blessed!!!