If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
The idea the professor presented is the idea presented in the verses above. What you feed your mind, will fuel your affections, and fix your will. The idea of what I think about affects what I desire and what I seek after. This has proven so true in my life...
(Colossians 3:1-4, ESV)
Today in Systematic Theology III class the professor was talking about us being made in the image of God. I could talk about the implications of this truth, and I would like to in the future...but one thing the professor brought up really hit me. It's a truth that I have often heard, but God opened my eyes to the truth of it's implications a little more...
When I'm constantly thinking about possessions, I will and do want more things. When I focus on my anger about a particular situation, this causes me to treat people badly and causes my anger to increase. When I'm thinking about myself, and feeling sorry for myself...I don't want to talk to anyone or be around anyone.
On the other hand, I find that when my thought's are focused on Christ and I'm meditating on what I know to be true about Him, this ends up coming out in my actions...I love people more, I am more patient, I desire to be around people and to be a blessing, rather than wanting to escape from them...
There's a particular relationship in my life that has been a great struggle lately. I've gone back and forth in my mind between pity for this person and anger at this person...but it occurred to me this morning...why don't I pray for her? Why don't I try to see this person through God's eyes? Why don't I see this person as someone who's made in the image of God?
God can heal broken relationships...but this doesn't happen by dwelling on our anger toward them...this happens by renewing our mind with what is true, and seeking to love them through our prayers...then I think God changes the heart to where we find ourselves loving them instead of being angry at them.
That was kind of me talking to myself as much as I'm talking to my readers...I pray that this post will be a blessing to those who read it...and that God will use it in your life as much as He did in mine.
Comments
You have given me a lot to think about. The correlations between your thoughts and your actions are spot-on.
Thanks for sharing. :D