There is so much potential, so many benefits – at least that’s how it seems to me.
“In what?” you might ask. “In anything and everything,” I’d tell you. When you adjust your focus and set your affections and preferences on things above, a whole world opens up to you!
There continually seems to be a lot of things up in the air. Many unknowns, uncertainties and many, many questions. What to do? When to do it? How to do it?
But it would seem this is an exceptionally good time not to set your affections on anything on this side of heaven. Just as soon as something is decided on, somehow it seems to change.
All for Our Good
If the upset in plans disrupts something that is already not my favorite thing, then this works out well, but if it happens to be something I’ve set my sights on, anticipated, or hoped for, it can be hard.
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” Colossians 3:2
I remember, years ago, reflecting on this verse. It was a bit of a trying, uncomfortable time, and this verse gave me such comfort. It would seem that just the simplest reminder to be still and let God be God was all I needed. Being reminded of it, reflecting on it, applying it, brought me so much peace and comfort. It smoothed out the bumpy road and encouraged my heart remarkably!
But truth be told, this was after I had gone out of my way to try to help things go smoothly. I’d bent over backwards trying to make sure no one had hurt feelings or misunderstood what another might have meant. I didn’t want any friction or discomfort. But this was exhausting – and not my place. Though my intentions were nice, I was not part of the situation. So to keep intervening and “helping” wasn’t appropriate.
God Has A Purpose
Funny how sometimes the areas we try hardest to smooth something over are often areas that we just need to step back and give others the opportunity to be direct with one another. That’s probably why one has to put so much effort and work into it, because we’re trying to accomplish something under our own power rather than stepping back and being willing to live with a little discomfort knowing God has a purpose for it.
So let me just encourage you, no matter what life brings you, don’t set your affections on it. God is our one true constant. Keep your sights on Him and all will be well. But lose your focus and the outcome will be frustrating. Now this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your hopes up or dream about what’s ahead. It’s simply a reminder to keep your eyes on God’s purpose and direction.
God has a remarkable way of orchestrating each of our lives. And when we surrender to His plans and look past our own selfish comforts, we can take a step closer to living with purpose for Him!
A Proper Order
I’ve recently been reading more, which I thoroughly enjoy. Right now, I am in the middle of a Dale Carnegie book and his whole focus seems to be to encourage you as the reader to take an interest in others. To pay attention and find some way in which to encourage others.
Something as simple as using another’s name can mean the world to them. And when you need something from someone, first find out what you can do to help or encourage them. The entire theme of the book seems to be to remind the reader to refocus their attention from self to others.
In much the same way, we should approach our relationship with God focused more on what He wants to accomplish rather than beginning with our list of requests. Setting aside our own affections in order to determine His. And then we can definitely make our requests known – for Who better to take them to? But what if we took the time and paused and listened before we began running through our lists?
The Lord’s Prayer
Isn’t it interesting in the Lord’s prayer how first it talks about how precious and valuable God’s name is, and then it goes on to talk about God’s goals. All this before making any requests, seeking forgiveness, or asking for deliverance from temptation.
And perhaps this same order is a blueprint for how we should treat others as well. Find value in another and see them as more important than ourselves, prior to asking for help or trying to accomplish whatever is on our mind.
The importance of setting aside affections, setting aside of self, isn’t essential just in the day to day life, but also in thought and prayer!
How precious is it that God cares so much for us as to lay out an appropriate sequence of how to pursue a relationship with Him! When we let go of affections we are opening ourselves up to do things God’s way. And that honors God and brings glory to His name – which should be our highest priority! Not only that, but looking past ourselves and our affections encourages our hearts and helps us to see things from His perspective!
Show me a sad, depressed individual and I will show you an opportunity to let go of self-centered affections or desires.
May God encourage and inspire your walk with Him!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2025/08/06/high-expectations/