Col 3:2 Set your affection (keep your thinking) on things above, not on things on the earth Oh Lord, this verse tells me that I must focus my thinking on what you ha ve done for me in the Spiritual realm. I should virtually ignore everything that happens to me on the earth. If I focus my thinking on ‘earthly problems’ I will get discouraged. My h ealth problems and ‘old age problems’ are ‘earthly problems.’ They will cause me to get discouraged if I am not focused on your ETERNAL solution to these problems I find your ‘eternal’ solution in this verse. 2 Co r 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up US also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. Oh Lord, your Word just told me that i f I am focused on my ‘resurrection to life eternal’ ... then ... I won’t get discouraged! If I focus on the problems of this temporary life, then I will get discouraged. 2 Co r 4:16 For which cause (the focus on a resurrection to life eternal) we faint not ( we don’t get discouraged) ; but though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Oh Lord, my outward man is certainly perishing! I am now an ‘older person.’ I could certainly become ‘ discouraged ’ because my outward man is perishing. But, this verse in your Word tells me that if I am focused on my resurrection to life eternal, my inward man will be renewed ! I see Lord that I must have an ‘eternal focus’ not a ‘temporal focus.’ 2 Co r 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment , worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; I see Lord, that anything I am going through is only a ... ‘light affliction’ and only for a ‘moment’ compared to eternity This will be my mindset ... IF I am focused on things above 2 Co r 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal ; but the things which are not seen are eternal Lord, when I focus on ‘ things ’ I ‘see’ happening in my ‘ earthly life , ’ like my aging body ... I will then lose my focus on what you have already done for me in the Spiritual realm I can easily lose my focus when I don’t concentrate on MY resurrection to life eternal which you have provide d for me What I am now going through seems almost overwhelming. But you oh Lord desire that I would reckon, Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God May I focus on this “earnest expectation” of mine, that I shall be raised from the grave just as your Son. I shall be raised with a body ‘like Him.’ 1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God : 1Jn 3:2 ... and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear , we shall be like him When I then focus on ‘things above’ then this next verse becomes most precious to me Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; It is at YOUR glorious appearing , that I will be resurrected from the dead to life eternal At your glorious appearing , I will be resurrected from the dead ... to LIFE ... even life more abundant ... life eternal. Oh Lord, when I suffer from discouragement or depression, I now hear you saying, “ think about the eternal life to come when I return for you ! ” Oh Lord, I now hear your Word asking me ... Now what can this ‘ temporary life ’ throw at you that is really all that bad? An Everyday Reminder www.blackhillsgracechurch .com