“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Our focus determines our outlook. Sometimes that focus can be blurred by our circumstances.
This past week gave me plenty of opportunities to complain.
Kentucky summers have a personality all their own. The heat was relentless, the humidity wrapped around us like a heavy blanket, and the rain seemed endless. A culvert washed out on our property, our air conditioner quit during one of the hottest weeks of the summer, my old knee injury decided to rear its ugly head, and my high-maintenance sinuses reminded me they weren’t taking a vacation either.
I could have spent the week focusing on everything that was going wrong. Instead, the Lord gently redirected my focus. He reminded me that while I couldn’t immediately change my circumstances, I could choose where to fix my eyes.
As someone who teaches Faith-Based Fitness, I often remind my students that we’re not just training our bodies—we’re training our brains and anchoring our hearts in God’s Word. Every new exercise combination challenges the mind to think, react, remember, and stay engaged. Every class is an opportunity to strengthen our spirit, renew our minds through God’s Word, and care for the bodies God has entrusted to us.
Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Just as our muscles become stronger through consistent exercise, our minds are renewed when we consistently fill them with God’s truth. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Then, I started paying attention to the ways God was revealing His goodness.
I saw hummingbirds dancing outside my office window, happily enjoying our flowers.
I saw the same bright yellow bird return with its mate.
I saw a graceful deer wandering through our soybean field. Robin smiled and said, “There go my soybeans again.” I smiled too, but for a different reason and reached for my camera.
I saw my two grandsons working together on our farm, laughing as they tackled a monster ditch with weed eaters.
I saw my granddaughter patiently helping me with a few computer challenges.
I saw a picture my son sent of our newest granddaughter enjoying her very first spoonful of mashed potatoes.
I saw my fitness students giving everything they had during a circuit workout, encouraging one another every step of the way.
I also experienced God’s care through a special lady in one of my fitness classes. When my old knee injury flared up, I prayed and reached out to her. She immediately responded, worked on my leg before class, and it felt so much better. She has a gift for noticing people who are hurting and quietly uses her God-given abilities to help others. I’m thankful for people who willingly serve for God’s glory.
Most of all, I realized God had been faithfully revealing His goodness all week. His creation, my family, friends, students, and even an answered prayer all pointed me back to Him. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” James 1:17
Perhaps this week God is inviting you to look a little differently. Listen for the song of a bird. Admire the beauty of a flower. Treasure a grandchild’s smile. Thank Him for a friend who quietly serves others. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Above all, fix your eyes on Jesus and look for His hand at work in your everyday life.
The blessings were always there. I simply had to slow down long enough to recognize God’s hand at work. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3
Perhaps your circumstances have gotten your outlook out of focus, like you have been wearing someone else’s glasses. It’s time to turn your eyes towards Him and be who He knows you can be.
When our focus is on God, He changes our perspective. Our focus truly does determine our outlook.