THINK ETERNAL

Thinking eternally means shifting our perspective from temporary, worldly concerns to the everlasting truth of God's Kingdom. The Bible teaches that our time on Earth is short, but our souls are eternal. When we think eternally, we focus on God’s plan, live with faith and purpose, and make decisions based on His eternal promises rather than fleeting circumstances.

Key Biblical Principles on Thinking Eternally:

Life on Earth is Temporary
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” — Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
Store Up Treasures in Heaven
“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” — Matthew 6:20 (NLT)
God’s Eternal Promises Give Us Hope
“And this is what God has promised us—eternal life.” — 1 John 2:25 (NLT)
Focus on What is Unseen, Not Just the Present
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
Eternal Perspective Strengthens Faith
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” — 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)

How to Live with an Eternal Perspective:

Seek God daily through prayer and His Word.
Prioritize spiritual growth over worldly success.
Love and serve others as an act of worship to God.
Make decisions that align with God's eternal truth.
Share the message of salvation with others.

Living with an eternal mindset brings peace, purpose, and fulfillment because we trust in God’s unchanging promises rather than the uncertainty of life’s temporary challenges.

What Does it Mean to Think Eternal?

God’s heart on thinking eternal revolves around His desire for us to focus on the lasting, unchanging truths of His Kingdom, rather than being consumed by the temporary concerns of this world. He calls us to set our minds and hearts on things that have eternal significance, like our relationship with Him, the impact we have on others, and our faithfulness to His purposes. Here’s a deeper look at God’s heart on thinking eternal:

God Desires for Us to Live with an Eternal Purpose

God calls us to live our lives with the understanding that we are part of His grand, eternal plan. We are not meant to live just for the moment, but with the eternal perspective that everything we do should bring glory to God and align with His will.

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

God Wants Us to Store Up Treasures in Heaven

Jesus teaches that we should focus on heavenly rewards rather than earthly possessions. Thinking eternal means setting our hearts on things that have lasting value in the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
God’s heart is that we focus our lives not on accumulating wealth or status but on serving Him and advancing His Kingdom, which brings eternal reward.

God Wants Us to Focus on What Lasts Forever

Everything in this world is temporary, but God’s Word and His Kingdom will endure forever. Thinking eternal means we focus on the eternal truths of Scripture, which guide us in life, and on the eternal impact of our actions.

Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
God’s heart is for us to value His Word and His Kingdom more than the temporary, fleeting things of this world.

God Wants Us to Have an Eternal Hope in Christ

Our hope in Christ is what sets us apart from the world. While people around us may be focused on short-term pleasures or the struggles of this life, we are called to have an eternal hope that nothing in this world can take away. This hope in the promise of eternal life with God shapes the way we live now.

Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
God’s heart is for us to live with an unshakable hope in the eternal life we have in Christ, knowing that our current struggles are temporary.

God Desires for Us to Impact Eternity Through Relationships

God’s heart for eternal thinking includes a deep investment in relationships. Our relationships, acts of kindness, sharing the Gospel, and encouraging others in their faith can have eternal consequences. God’s heart is to see people saved, growing in their faith, and living for His glory forever.

1 Peter 1:22 – “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
God’s heart is for us to love others deeply and to invest in relationships that honor Him, knowing that those relationships have eternal significance.

God Wants Us to Live with an Eternal Perspective in Our Sufferings

While life on earth includes challenges, suffering, and trials, God calls us to see these in light of eternity. The difficulties we face now are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory. Thinking eternal helps us endure with joy, knowing that our trials are temporary and they refine us for eternity.

2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
God’s heart is to help us endure suffering with hope, understanding that it is shaping us for something far greater in eternity.

God Desires Us to Be Transformed by the Eternal Truths

Thinking eternal isn’t just a mental exercise—it’s a transformation of how we live. When we set our minds on eternal things, our priorities shift. We begin to live in a way that reflects the eternal reality of God’s Kingdom, and it affects everything from our goals to how we handle trials.

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
God’s heart is for us to allow eternal truths to shape how we think and live, helping us grow in holiness and purpose.

God’s heart for us is to live with an eternal mindset, constantly focusing on the things that will last forever—the advancement of His Kingdom, the salvation of souls, and the hope we have in Christ. Thinking eternal means seeing the world, our struggles, and our relationships in light of God's unchanging, eternal promises. As we focus on these eternal truths, we live lives that honor Him and are aligned with His divine purpose for us.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE: The information contained in this resource is general in nature and is not intended to provide or be a substitute for advice, consultation or treatment with a duly licensed mental health practitioner or other medical professional. This resource is intended to provide practical faith-based guidelines for balanced living and is not a replacement for medical advice. Professional services should be pursued whenever necessary and/or appropriate. By utilizing this resource, individuals acknowledge that Men of Faith is not providing direct clinically-oriented mental health treatment or therapy, and that it does not create a therapeutic relationship between any individual and Men of Faith. Individuals who use this resource also agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Men of Faith, its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, as well as the officers, agents, and employees of Men of Faith and its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, from and against any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, charges, legal fees, recoveries, judgments, penalties, and expenses, which may be obtained against, imposed upon or suffered by Men of Faith. Additionally, certain views and opinions expressed in this resource may be those from sources other than Men of Faith and do not necessarily represent the views of Men of Faith, nor imply an endorsement by Men of Faith. All rights are reserved worldwide and no part of this resource may be reproduced in any form (print or electronic) without the expressed written permission of Men of Faith.