April 8, 2026 

In Colossians 3:1–2, Paul tells believers that since they have been raised with Christ, they are to set their hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Resurrection changes not only a believer’s future but also the direction of attention, affection, and daily perspective.

Devotional: One of the quiet struggles of daily life is that our attention gets pulled in too many directions. We think about what is urgent, what is frustrating, what is uncertain, and what is still undone. Before long, our minds are crowded, and our hearts feel heavy. Paul writes into that kind of life and says, “Set your hearts on things above.” That is not a call to ignore the world. It is a call to see the world from the place of resurrection.

Notice how Paul begins. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ.” He does not write as if resurrection is only a fact about Jesus. He writes as if resurrection now shapes the identity of believers, too. Because Christ is risen, those who belong to Him are not trapped in the old patterns of fear, self-protection, and spiritual short-sightedness. We are called to live from a different center.

Setting our minds on things above does not mean we stop caring about earthly responsibilities. It does not mean bills disappear, grief fades on command, or hard conversations no longer matter. It means those things no longer get to be the highest truth in our lives. Christ is. His reign is. His life is. His promises are. We still live in this world, but we do not have to let this world set the tone for our souls.

That matters because whatever fills our minds eventually shapes our hearts. If all we take in is anxiety, anger, outrage, and discouragement, it becomes harder to live with peace, patience, and hope. Paul is not telling us to detach from reality. He is calling us to anchor ourselves in the deepest reality of all, the risen Christ who reigns even when life feels unsettled.

Sometimes, setting your mind on things above looks very simple. It looks like pausing before the day starts and remembering that Christ is Lord. It looks like refusing to let fear narrate everything. It looks like turning off the noise for a few minutes so Scripture can have a chance to speak. It looks like asking, “What is true in Christ right now?” before reacting out of stress or frustration. Small shifts in attention can make room for grace to steady us.

Resurrection life is not only about what we do. It is also about what shapes us from the inside. Where your mind rests matters. Where your heart turns matters. Easter not only tells us that Jesus left the tomb. It tells us that our lives now belong to Him. So today, lift your eyes again. Not to escape the world, but to remember who rules over it. Christ is risen, and that changes the way we see everything else.

Action: Set aside five quiet minutes today to turn off distractions and read Colossians 3:1–2 slowly. Ask God to show you what has been crowding your mind and to redirect your heart toward Christ.

Prayer: Risen Lord, my mind is often crowded, and my heart is easily pulled toward worry, frustration, and distraction. Thank You that because I belong to You, I am not left to be shaped by every shifting thing around me. Help me set my heart and mind on You. Teach me to see my life through the hope of the resurrection and to live today grounded in Your peace and truth. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day: Resurrection lifts our eyes so we can live this day from a higher hope.

Life has a way of pulling our minds in a hundred directions. We think about what is urgent, what is unfinished, what is frustrating, and what we cannot control. Before long, our hearts feel crowded, and our thoughts feel heavy. That is why Colossians 3:1–2 speaks so clearly. Because Christ is risen and we have been raised with Him, we are called to set our hearts and minds on things above. That is not a call to ignore real life. It is a call to see real life through the hope and rule of the risen Christ.

Setting our minds on things above does not mean stepping away from responsibilities or pretending hard things do not matter. It means those things do not get to be the highest truth in our lives. Christ is. His life, His peace, His promises, and His reign are what steady us. When our attention is shaped only by stress, fear, and noise, our souls feel it. But when we turn our hearts toward Christ, we are reminded that resurrection hope still speaks louder than the chaos around us.