Mind

Mind

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2, NIV

In an age when women have made amazing strides in every way, depression is still a significant problem. In fact, about 75 percent of all antidepressant medications are prescribed for women. The mom who finds herself depressed can choose various avenues for help. Seeing a physician might be a good place to start, since clinical depression is different from feeling discouraged. God’s Word is another resource that gives direction and hope. The Bible encourages us to be completely honest with God, and it also encourages us to live up to what Christ has already done for us. Christ has made his children rich, and yet there are things we sometimes do to sabotage that wealth.

In Colossians 3 we discover three steps toward a healthier mind: cleansing, filling, and healing. Verses 5 and 8 tell us to get rid of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. How? We begin by exposing our hearts to God, handing over to him the things that shouldn’t be there.

Getting rid of pollutants (whenever God’s Spirit points them out) is only the beginning. The created void must be filled with Christ, and he brings compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness (vv. 12-15). How do we acquire these? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16, NIV). Just as our children need food—often!—to keep them growing, our minds and hearts need Christ through time in his Word.

Healing begins as a result of being full of Christ. His perspectives start to become our perspectives, and we begin to see life differently. Over time, we realize that there’s much more to life than just our anxieties. When we’re filled with Christ, we grow to be more thankful and hopeful women.

Father,

Thank you that we can come to you with our burdens and our cares. Thanks for the help and hope that you have given us in your Word, which makes us rich. As we set our minds on what’s important to you, please help us to view our concerns from a heavenly perspective. Amen.