The critical season before Easter

What are you doing to prepare your heart for Easter? 

Today, you can do something that will change the way you celebrate Resurrection Sunday. This practice will also bring a clearer focus to your life and noticeable peace and joy.

Before I go into more detail, let me review a little of my backstory for those who are new to my column:

Years ago, anorexia nervosa totally consumed me. My only thought was how to lose another pound. The disease cost me everything, including my family, one job after another, my health and my sanity. I knew I had crossed the line when my desire to be thin became more important than my desire to please God.

Romans 8:5-6 (ESV) illustrates this well: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Note the contrast. Which mindset best describes you? 

It’s not hard to see what my mind was set on those many years ago. I missed out on so much by spending years obsessing on things of the flesh (death). Had I chosen to live according to God’s Spirit (life and peace) even half as much as I pursued death, perhaps my first marriage wouldn’t have ended in divorce, and I could have raised my children. 

What is your mind set on? If it’s “on the things of the flesh,” what are you missing out on? What have you already missed out on?

We have entered the beautiful and significant season of Lent – a perfect time to draw nearer to God with our hearts, minds and souls. Lent is a season to help us prepare for Easter, regardless of our church denomination.

At the beginning of each week during the rest of this Lenten season, let’s decide what we’re going to do to prepare our hearts for Easter. Maybe we could join a Bible Study, have a quiet time with God every day or pick a daily verse to meditate on.

During our time with God, let’s ask Him to help us take an honest look at what fills our thoughts (and what drives us) – and pray for His help where needed. 

If we do this, week-by-week we’ll experience greater focus, peace and joy. Most of all, we’ll know our heavenly Father on a deeper level and feel closer to our Savior. Then we can celebrate Resurrection Sunday like never before.

Sheryl H. Boldt, a Franklin County resident, is the author of the blog, www.TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at SherylHBoldt@gmail.com.