We all want to take away our negative thoughts. Whether it’s bitterness, deceit, jealousy, anger, hatred, anxiety or worry, it is easy to recognize that the thoughts running through our mind control our lives on daily, or even a minute-by-minute basis. When the enemy sets his attack on our minds, which only takes a single thought for his grip to take hold of our day, those who have placed their faith in Jesus as their one true Savior have tapped in to the ability to have outside help.
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.
— Colossians 3:2–3
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul’s instruction to “put on the new self” starts with these verses. His teaching of putting your mind in the right spot is no accident. He knew that our thoughts control everything else that we do and he made it a point to cover the mind as the first topic in this passage.
Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
— Ephesians 4:21–24
Jesus came to earth, lived out his ministry here, and died on the cross for all sins, even those thoughts that control us day in and day out. Being able to set your mind on the things above requires knowing that he was sent here to die for our sins and trusting that he is the perfect savior. Trust in the truth that placing your mind on the heavenly things will put those negative thoughts to rest, and know that Jesus gave it all, so that he could carry those burdens for you.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”
— Matthew 11:30