The Eternal Mindset

When your mindset is eternal, the temporal won’t move you. “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2 NLT).

We all operate from a mindset which is the foundation of thinking that determines our perspective on everything. There are two main mindsets: the temporal and the eternal. The temporal is focused on the here and now whereas the eternal is focused on the forever.

Don’t settle in too much; earth is not your home. “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven” (Hebrews 13:14 TLB).

In our natural state, the temporal mindset is always dominate. We are dominated by selfish thoughts and by the fleshly desires within. The temporal is a harsh master always wanting and never being satisfied. Just as soon as you fill a need, a new one raises up. It’s like drinking sand.

There isn’t a fortress harder to overcome than the mindset of a man or a woman. “Let me say this, then, speaking for the Lord: Live no longer as the unsaved do, for they are blinded and confused. Their closed hearts are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds against him, and they cannot understand his ways” (Ephesians 4:17-18 TLB).

When we are saved, we are given the power to move onto a new way of living. Yet many don’t change, and their Christian life is barely different from the one they lived before. The temporal things still own them, and the eternal seems like something too far away.

You cannot satisfy an eternal soul with things that are passing away. “For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and He has filled the hungry soul with what is good” (Psalm 107:9 NASB).

Christians may be saved for eternity but still be consumed by the temporal. Their thoughts of heaven are often nothing more than a wavering faith in the hope that temporal things will be better. They hold onto the temporary with such fervor that it reveals what their mindset is.

Temporary things can only satisfy you temporarily. “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase…” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NKJV).

You have the choice to change your mindset. You don’t even need the strength or the knowledge but only the willingness to let God help you. The eternal mindset will set you free from the bondage of the temporal. The temporal promises peace but only the eternal can give it.

Our problem is we only believe as far as we can see. “We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NOG).

The eternal mindset will point your life towards the things that exist in heaven. Everything around you will be seen in light of the truth and glory that reigns in heaven. You will see your trials as bridges and your difficulties the path by which you get ever closer to God who loves you.

In whatever trial you find yourself in, this too will pass. “For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NASB).

The eternal mindset will take your mind off the things you lack in your living. All the temporary gaps in provisions and the temporary costs that used to overwhelm you will be replaced by the peace you have from heaven. When you look to heaven, earth is no longer your master.

In the balance sheet of heaven, even when you lose there will still be a profit. “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Romans 8:28 TLB).

The eternal mindset will reprioritize what really matters to you. The things that frustrated you won’t even matter and the things that consumed you will no longer own you. You will have more than enough time to do what needs to be done because you will no longer be so busy doing the unnecessary.

You wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed if you weren’t trying to do so much. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’” (Matthew 11:28 NLT).

The eternal mindset will give you a greater level of grace and mercy to those around you. You will worry less about how people made you feel and instead just want to love people with your new heart from heaven. Loving others will become more important than yourself.

Show grace to other people knowing we are all in this together. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 CJB).

The eternal mindset is having the mind of Christ within you. It is having the heart of the Father beating inside you. It is having the breath of the Holy Spirit filling your lungs. It is having the new life you were meant to walk in. All you have to do is ask and then receive.

You can’t be filled with the Spirit of God and continue as you were before. “For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace” (Romans 8:6 TPT).

Blessings to you,

Paul Balius


2 thoughts on “The Eternal Mindset

  1. Paul~
    Thank you for your openness, and willingness to be used by God and the Holy Spirit in the ministry of your blog. You pour into my soul the truths of God’s WORD regularly. I just wanted you to know you are a source of strength and renewal in the Spirit for me.
    I pray that you are well. That your friends and family are well and comforted in the Lord. That your prayers are answered. That your times with the Lord are refreshing and productive in the growth of your intimacy with Him.
    Be blessed.
    Kate

    1. Kate, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. We are so blessed that God would use us in whatever ways He chooses. I am so thankful that to the Lord for His many blessings. I have been doing well, trusting in the Lord, and learning more and more each step on this wonderful faith journey we are blessed to be on! Praying for you and your family, and all the ways the Lord is using you for His kingdom. May His favor overwhelm you. Blessings always, Paul

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