Set Point

123rf.com

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

I was mourning a few things today – the loss of them, I guess I should say.

The sharp mind I used to have when learning new things…

The ability to explain myself in a clear and concise manner, even when confused…

Not having to watch every single thing I eat to stay healthy…

Being able to run uphill without feeling like I may drop dead any second….

And many, many other little, pesky things.

And I realized…it is not only fleshly desires such as sin that can distract us and lead to our demise, but also things such as what I listed above.

I think the flesh likes to have set points. Places it likes to stubbornly stay and refuse to budge. I’m sure you have heard that in regard to weight and body fat composition, but I believe it to be true with other aspects of the fleshly desires and trials we face as well.

It likes to make us think that IT has control – that the set point that IT deems to be appropriate is a brick wall we can’t move past.

When we focus upon the things of the flesh…the things of this world…even the things of our own bodies, personalities, thought processes, intellect, they are still only temporary and fleeting things – not things to put our confidence and faith in at all.

That’s because one way or another, those things are changing and fickle too, even though it all is trying to make us think it’s at some “set” point that we have to relax into and just deal with.

My mind may not be what it used to be – I don’t know if it ever will be again – but I still have the Spirit of the Lord living inside of me. No matter how hard this stuff of the flesh tries to distract me from that, nothing can take His power away. I refuse to believe that I have reached some fleshly set point that’s never going to budge. I may have to adapt for a while and let things settle, but God is the One who will determine the state of things now and in the future. Although He is unchanging, His power is vast. I have seen Him change things that appeared to be set points of the flesh, heart, mind, soul in the twinkle of an eye.

If you, like me have stuff you have to “deal with” that is like a thorn or even a rosebush in your side, go ahead and deal with it. But at the same time, try to remember the last part of the verse above – we need to set our minds on that – upon HIM – and remember that at the end of the day, that’s all we are taking with us anyway.

Let’s adjust how we need to adjust to the phases in life or the circumstances in which we are placed for now – all the while, asking the Lord to bring about the changes in us He so desires.

Patience with the seeming set points of the flesh. Perseverance in prayer that the Lord will make them budge and bend to His will. Peace that He will deliver us.

That’s the only place our hearts and minds should be resolved to be set upon in this life.

 

Advertisement