“Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2, NIV)
Setting my mind on things above instead of on things below (i.e., earthly things) makes me more focused on what matters most to God instead of on what I think matters most to me. This motivates me to spend my time on that which glorifies him and takes me deeper into his will.
Thinking about the things of heaven, not the things of earth (NLT), affects my relationships because they become about showing Christ’s love and not about my ego or justice. In this, I am motivated to be brave in showing humility and love.
Setting my affection on things above, not on things on the earth (KJ) makes me more confident because God becomes my source of wisdom. All other sources go through him. Essentially, the wisdom of God becomes the only wisdom that directs me.
Setting my mind and keeping focused habitually on the things above, on heavenly things, not on things that are on earth, which have only temporal value (AMP), also helps me to increasingly be more relaxed physically and mentally. I can release my inner tension because I trust God to meet all my needs (Philippians 4:19) and to always work for my good (Romans 8:28).
A life focused on God leads to a more confident life. A more confident life sets me up to be increasingly brave in my relationships and more relaxed in myself.
