Therefore if you have been raised with Christ seek that above... the mind above, not of, to the extent of the earth - Colossians 3:1-2
There is a difference between just thinking on good things (though it is good) and seeking the mind that is above. If we have been raised with Christ seek that above. What does Paul mean if you have been raised with Christ? Does not the resurrection come later when I am given a new body? True, I await redemption of my body but Paul writes we have been raised with Christ and sit in the heavenlies with him (Ephesians 2:6). This is amazing when you think about it. How can I sit with Christ in the heavenlies and exist in this body at the same time? It is because I am a new creation in Christ, I am now spiritual, thus the spiritual man has been raised with Christ. This is the man I am to seek to become, thus what am I seeking above? The mind above, spiritual, which speaks of being transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms - Ephesians 1:3
When I become focused on the circumstances that I am currently going through God reminds me that I am blessed. I am chosen, adopted, favored, redeemed, forgiven, sealed with the Holy Spirit... I am a child of God and in Christ I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. Paul prays that we would see this, that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened to the hope of our calling, the inheritance we have among the saints, and the power that is available to us as believers (Ephesians 1:16-19). If I could see who I am in Christ, the circumstances of this life would pale in comparison. If we see dimly who we are above then we will focus on the things of the earth but if we see clearly that above the things of earth will become dim. We can see by faith, and God's purpose is that I be renewed in my mind, to have the spiritual mind, the one above.
and put on the new, the one renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator - Colossians 3:10
Putting on the new requires that we take off the old, put to death the earthly (Colossians 3:5). If He chose us before He created the world to be holy, blameless in his presence in love, then we are the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, called to put on the new (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 3:12). Let us cover ourselves with the garments of love, as love is the bond that leads to maturity, let peace rule in our hearts, and the word of Christ dwell richly in us. Let us seek that above, the mind above, be renewed in the spirit of our mind, like the one sitting in the heavenlies with Christ.