A garbage disposal that stopped working, then started again, then stopped again — two days of fussing with the fuse, and finally the discovery that the whole unit was rusted out and dripping from the bottom. In the grand scheme of things, a kitchen appliance. And yet the mind rushes immediately to all the questions: how much will this cost, why now, what a mess on top of an already full week. One broken thing, and peace starts to leak out right alongside the water.

Romans 8:5-6 names what is happening in those moments with precision: the mind governed by the flesh is fixed on what the flesh desires — the problem in front of it, the broken circumstances, the unexpected expense. But the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Paul’s point comes down to mindset, and his news is remarkably good: we get to choose where we set our minds. We can have the same sink, the same leak, the same full schedule — and two different mindsets produce two entirely different experiences. The flesh locks our eyes on the broken thing. The Spirit lifts them to Christ, who sees the trouble as temporary and uses the moment to draw us into dependence on Him. The enemy knows this, which is why he works so hard to capture our focus with exactly the kind of small, nagging problems that are just big enough to hold our attention and just persistent enough to drain our peace. But the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the grave lives in us. Peace does not live under the kitchen sink. It lives in Jesus — and it thrives when we set our minds on Him.

If you could use a boost to help your heart through challenges, I wrote Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith for you. You can order it now at battleprayers.com.

Bible Verse

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
— Romans 8:6, NIV

Ponder Today
Peace leaks out when we fix our minds on the broken things in front of us. The flesh keeps our eyes locked on circumstances. The Spirit lifts them to Christ. Same situation, different mindset, completely different experience.
We are privileged to choose where we set our minds — and that is remarkably good news. Paul does not present mindset as something that happens to us. He presents it as a daily, active choice available to every believer through the power of the Spirit.
The enemy would love for small, persistent problems to capture your attention. Not every battle is dramatic. Sometimes the attack is a broken appliance, an unexpected bill, or one frustrating thing on top of an already full week. The goal is the same — to move your focus off Christ and onto the problem.
The mind fixed on problems is the mind void of peace. Dwelling on circumstances leads almost always to discouragement, then deflation, then defeat. Setting the mind on Christ means there is always hope available, regardless of what the circumstances look like.
Your peace does not live in your circumstances — it lives in Jesus. The garbage disposal gets replaced. The schedule stays full. But peace that depends on external things is temporary. Peace rooted in Christ is available in every season, broken things and all.

A Prayer for You Today

Heavenly Father, peace can feel like something that drains away when problems come around. Whether it is a broken appliance or an unexpected bill, my mind quickly rushes to circumstances. Forgive me for living with my mind set on what is in front of me instead of on You. I have let broken things threaten to steal the peace You do not want me to lose. Lift my eyes to You. When my thoughts lock on a problem, remind me that You are bigger. Set my mind on the Spirit so that life and peace can grow in place of worry. You are steady and loving, and I praise You for this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Want More?

Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

A garbage disposal that stopped working, then started again, then stopped again &mdash; two days of fussing with the fuse, and finally the discovery that the whole unit was rusted out and dripping from the bottom. In the grand scheme of things, a kitchen appliance. And yet the mind rushes immediately to all the questions: how much will this cost, why now, what a mess on top of an already full week. One broken thing, and peace starts to leak out right alongside the water.
Romans 8:5-6 names what is happening in those moments with precision: the mind governed by the flesh is fixed on what the flesh desires &mdash; the problem in front of it, the broken circumstances, the unexpected expense. But the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Paul&rsquo;s point comes down to mindset, and his news is remarkably good: we get to choose where we set our minds. We can have the same sink, the same leak, the same full schedule &mdash; and two different mindsets produce two entirely different experiences. The flesh locks our eyes on the broken thing. The Spirit lifts them to Christ, who sees the trouble as temporary and uses the moment to draw us into dependence on Him. The enemy knows this, which is why he works so hard to capture our focus with exactly the kind of small, nagging problems that are just big enough to hold our attention and just persistent enough to drain our peace. But the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the grave lives in us. Peace does not live under the kitchen sink. It lives in Jesus &mdash; and it thrives when we set our minds on Him.
If you could use a boost to help your heart through challenges, I wrote Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith for you. You can order it now at <a href="https://battleprayers.com/">battleprayers.com</a>.
<hr>
Bible Verse
&ldquo;The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.&rdquo; &mdash; Romans 8:6, NIV
<hr>
Ponder Today
<ol dir="ltr">
<li>Peace leaks out when we fix our minds on the broken things in front of us. The flesh keeps our eyes locked on circumstances. The Spirit lifts them to Christ. Same situation, different mindset, completely different experience.</li>
<li>We are privileged to choose where we set our minds &mdash; and that is remarkably good news. Paul does not present mindset as something that happens to us. He presents it as a daily, active choice available to every believer through the power of the Spirit.</li>
<li>The enemy would love for small, persistent problems to capture your attention. Not every battle is dramatic. Sometimes the attack is a broken appliance, an unexpected bill, or one frustrating thing on top of an already full week. The goal is the same &mdash; to move your focus off Christ and onto the problem.</li>
<li>The mind fixed on problems is the mind void of peace. Dwelling on circumstances leads almost always to discouragement, then deflation, then defeat. Setting the mind on Christ means there is always hope available, regardless of what the circumstances look like.</li>
<li>Your peace does not live in your circumstances &mdash; it lives in Jesus. The garbage disposal gets replaced. The schedule stays full. But peace that depends on external things is temporary. Peace rooted in Christ is available in every season, broken things and all.</li>
</ol>
<hr>
A Prayer for You Today
Heavenly Father, peace can feel like something that drains away when problems come around. Whether it is a broken appliance or an unexpected bill, my mind quickly rushes to circumstances. Forgive me for living with my mind set on what is in front of me instead of on You. I have let broken things threaten to steal the peace You do not want me to lose. Lift my eyes to You. When my thoughts lock on a problem, remind me that You are bigger. Set my mind on the Spirit so that life and peace can grow in place of worry. You are steady and loving, and I praise You for this. In Jesus&rsquo; name, Amen.
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers&nbsp;help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily...

Your Daily Prayer

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Every morning, the team of women behind iBelieve.com bring you a devotional and prayer to help you start your day in conversation with God. The Bible tells us to bring our prayers and petitions before God and He WILL give us peace! May these daily prayers&nbsp;help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God today.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce&nbsp;The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

A Prayer for Peace-Filled Focus

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/09739a14-8dfc-4eef-bbd8-b4e200c28801/transcript