Pick What You Ponder
Be careful what you think because your thoughts run your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)
During an average day, we think about thousands of things. Thoughts zoom in and out leaving us to wonder ‘where did that come from?’ It is easy to let those reflections take us down rabbit holes. Max Lucado has strong opinions about where our minds travel. This is an excerpt from his book, Anxious for Nothing.
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You can pick what you ponder.
You didn’t choose your parents or siblings. You don’t determine the weather. There are many things in life over which you have no choice. But the greatest activity of life is well within your domination. You can choose what you think about.
You can be the air traffic controller of your mental airport. Thoughts circle above, coming and going. If one of them lands, it is because you gave it permission. If it leaves, it is because you directed it to do so.
Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today. (Count blessings. Memorize Bible verses. Pray. Sing hymns. Spend time with encouraging people.) Do you want to guarantee tomorrow’s misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self -pity or guilt or anxiety today. (Assume the worst. Beat yourself up. Rehearse your regrets. Complain to complainers.) Thoughts have consequences.
Your challenge is not your challenge. Your challenge is the way you think about challenge. Your problem is not your problem; it is the way you look at it.
Father God, thank You for Your Word and the lessons we can learn from others. Help us to take control of our mental airport and be more mindful of what we let in. Guide us, O Lord! AMEN.