“Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on earth” (Colossians 3:2). 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos or the frills of the world. Our purposeful vision becomes altered when our thoughts about life are negative. There is always something to thank God for each day. I have been in a battle against my own mind recently. I was having thoughts that were not of God and not of His truth. I was caught off guard and began thinking, ” this is weird. Why is this happening to me? Why am I having these thoughts?” As I began to study the Word and pray, I realized that those thoughts were of the devil. I was reminded of the above scripture and this one as follows, ” Dear friends,when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don’t be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory” (1Peter 4:12 HCSB). The devil is tricky and will try to manipulate us,distracting us from fulfilling our purpose or to cause us to have a, “bad day.” We must stay alert, when thoughts of depression, hurt, anger, frustration, lust, etc invade our minds and we must replace them with Heavenly ones. The devil is looking for someone to trap, but we know that we have the victory through Christ! God said that we are His people, that He loves us like no other, that we are beautiful, that we are a “Royal Priesthood,” that He wants the best for us, that His timing is precious. He calmed the waters from the storm and He can calm the storms of our on minds. Surrender it all to Him today. Spiritual Growth is a journey. As long as we continue to set our thoughts on things above, we will be alright through the power of the Holy Spirit!