Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

~1 Peter 1:13 (NASB 2020)

While driving down the road with my grandkids one day, Eva said, “Look! There’s water in the road.” I knew it was a mirage and told her so. 

 

 

 

She cocked her head to the side. “What’s a mirage?”

“A mirage is something that really isn’t there.”

“But I see it.”

By this time, we were nearing the illusion, which was disappearing. “See, it’s no longer there.”

She looked even more confused, so I put on my teacher hat. “It has to do with the heat in the pavement warming up the air above it. This makes the air less dense, which bends the light rays, which then reflect off the sky.”

 

Well, that went over as well as a fifty-pound sack of cement. She started to ask another question when a big bird flew over the road right in front of the car. Immediately, her attention switched, and thankfully, she forgot her question. 

The conversation brought to mind how I view certain circumstances in my life. When trouble looms, I can focus solely on the problem, seeing things that really aren’t there. My single-mindedness can exclude any other outcomes, causing me to miss a blessing or a new truth. Therefore, I must reorient my thoughts to avoid overanalyzing and concocting what-ifs.

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

~Colossians 3:2 (NASB 2020)

A friend’s journey with cancer exemplified someone shifting their thoughts and experiencing victory. She had a good and peaceful life when she received the diagnosis. In that one moment, her immediate future changed. Plans of trips abroad changed to trips to the doctors and scans. Newest treatments and survival rates fueled her constant research. Her emotions ballooned, and anxiety threatened to rule her heart until she determined to focus her mind on God.

The steadfast of mind, You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.

~Isaiah 26:3 NASB 2020

My friend threw herself into Bible teaching podcasts, worship music, scriptures, and Bible study. She still read, researched, and did everything humanely possible to navigate to the best outcome, but these things no longer dominated her every waking moment. Through the renewing of her mind, which took repeated effort and determination on her part, she received the Father’s peace. Her cancer situation stayed the same, but she realized she had the Father walking closely with her through it, moment by moment. 

 

Think about what trouble or problem you face that threatens to consume you. Then, welcome the Father in.

Dear Lord, as I face troubles each day, help me to train my mind and heart to think of You first. Give me peace that only You can offer. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: The Mirage: Sharon Davis: All Rights Reserved