Setting Our Minds On Eternity

As Hmong Christian women, we carry many roles and responsibilities. We are daughters, wives, mothers, aunties, sisters, church members, church leaders, and often caregivers for multiple generations. Our days are filled with work, family needs, financial concerns, and expectations from both our culture and society. In the middle of all this, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and spiritually exhausted.

The apostle Paul offers us a gentle but powerful reminder in Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This verse invites us to lift our eyes beyond what is temporary and fix our hearts on what is eternal.

Setting our minds on eternity is not something that happens automatically. It is a daily choice. The word “set” suggests intentional action. This isn’t passive. It’s not just “try to think heavenly thoughts when you feel like it.” It’s a daily, even hourly decision to choose what we allow into our minds. Many of us struggle with “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life (1 John 2:16)." While these sinful inclinations are real, they are not meant to consume us nor leave us without hope.

When Paul tells us to focus on “things above,” he is pointing us toward God’s character, His promises, and His purposes. A heavenly mindset reminds us that God sees us, knows us, and cares deeply about our lives. Psalm 139 tells us that all our days were written in God’s book before one of them came to be. Again, in John 10:10, Jesus tells us, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus died not only so that we would be free from physical death but that we would have an abundant life that is free from devastating effects of sin.

An eternal perspective also helps us endure pain and hardship, even when we don't understand. Many Hmong women have stories marked by suffering, and sacrifice. Health struggles, broken relationships, unfulfilled dreams, and life's unending uncertainties can make living feel exhausting. Yet Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. When we remember eternity, our suffering is not meaningless, and our faith is not in vain. It is as a famous preacher once boldly proclaimed:

"I would not trade all the difficult years for all the prosperity in this world. God knows what each of us must suffer in order to be conformed to the image of Christ."

Having a heavenly mindset does not mean ignoring our earthly responsibilities or disregarding the beautiful moments that we have here on earth. However, it means holding them with open hands. Family, work, and ministry are important, but they are not our ultimate identity. Our worth is found in Christ alone. When we remember this, comparison loses its power, and we are freed from trying to prove ourselves to others and to ourselves as well.

So how do we practice setting our minds on things above? We can begin by starting our day with prayer and Scripture, even if it is just a few minutes. We can ask ourselves, “Does this matter in light of eternity?” When your heart is anchored in Christ, earthly disappointments won’t shake you the same way. You live with the big picture in view. You’re not living for likes, status, or control—you’re living for eternity and those who persevere until the end will receive the victor's crown of life (James 1:12).

Dear sisters, this world will always try to pull our attention downward. But Christ calls us upward. He calls us to live with purpose. You were not created only for this moment. You were created for eternity, and your life matters deeply to God.

---

Bao Vang is the wife of the President of the Hmong Baptist National Association. When Bao's not serving her local church, she likes to write and spend time with her family. Bao received her MA in Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a PhD in Bible Exposition at John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. Bao is also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Institute for Biblical Research. You can find her research at https://liberty.academia.edu/baobvang.