Where's Your Focus?

 ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
-Philippians 4:8 (KJV)


What are you thinking about right now? More specifically, what has had control of your thought pattern lately? Most, if not all, of us has something on our minds. Is it a financial matter? Maybe you're looking for employment? I don't know what is going on in your life, but I'm certain of one thing. You've got something on your mind. Here is the question for today: Is whatever on your mind taking the focus off of God and on to your circumstances? Wow, that's a tough one.


Paul writes in Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." This is important instructions that Paul is giving us here. We need to be focused on the things of Heaven, not the things on the earth. What does that word affection mean? It means, "a feeling of fondness or tenderness for a person or thing; attachment.*" We must have an attachment to the things of Heaven. We must be detached to the things of the earth. If your affection is set on God, then whatever is weighing on your mind right now is taking the place of God. Is your affection set on God, or is it set on your surroundings?


Paul writes, again, in Second Corinthians 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." The cares of this world, the things that bring us down are not permanent, they are temporary. While something may seem big right now, it really is a minuscule little matter. Paul says that we look not at the things that are seen (earthly matters), but instead, we focus on the things that are not seen (heavenly matters). If our affection is set on the things above, that is where our eyes will be looking. If our affection is set on the things of earth, that is where our eyes will be looking. Set your eyes to the things of Heaven, because that is eternal, while the things of earth are temporary. 


Finally, how can you set your affections of the things of Heaven? This brings us to the key verse for today, Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Look at the list that Paul tells us to think on. These qualities are not found in stories on the evening newscast. If we focus on, and think on, the things listed in this passage, we will be able to set our affection on things above. Are you ready to look above your circumstances? Think About It.
*source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/affection