Set Our Minds on Things Above

Set Our Minds on Things Above

From Grace for All by Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN

July 12, 2026 · 8 min · Season 24 · Episode 968

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of focusing on love and spiritual virtues amidst a noisy and negative world, based on teachings from Colossians.

Colossians 3:12-15 – 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. It can be hard to stay centered in and focused on love, when the chatter all around us seems to be just the opposite. The world is noisy and loud, filled with sounds of turmoil, negativity, and hate. Wars and rumors of wars abound. But we must stop right there! We must refocus. Colossians 3:2 tells us to “set our minds on things above…” I believe that means not only on God above, but on thoughts that are “above” the negativity and turmoil we generally hear. To “set our minds on things above,” we will need space to stand apart from the fray. Quiet space to pray and listen to God. That quiet time and space with God will allow Him to teach us how to LOVE as He does. To LOVE even the ones we don’t like very much and time to put on those virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, mentioned…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jim Stovall, Greta Smith

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First United Methodist Church

Books & works: Colossians 3:12-15, Colossians 3:2

Places: Maryville, TN

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