“THOUGHT” PLANES

There are a lot of things we don’t get to choose. We don’t get to choose whether it will rain. Or what time it gets dark. Or how much salt is in the ocean or how many stars are up in the sky.

When you’re a kid, it seems like there are even more things you don’t get to choose. Like where you live, whether you get an allowance, or what time is bedtime.

The fact is, no matter how old we are, there are a lot of things in life that we don’t have a choice about. But there’s one very important thing we all get to choose. And that is what we think about.

Imagine an airport. Dozens and dozens of planes circle all around, wanting to land. But each plane can only land if it gets the okay from the airport. If it doesn’t get the okay, it has to fly away.

Now, think of your brain as being like that airport. Dozens and dozens of “thought” planes circle around, wanting to land. Some are thoughts about everyday things, like what shirt you should wear and what’s the answer to problem number four in your homework. Other thoughts are about good things, like wondering how you can help your dad, wanting to call your grandparents, or trying to memorize a Bible verse. But other thoughts are about not-so-great things or even bad things, like how angry you are at someone, how you can get even with that bully from lunch, or how you can watch that movie without your parents finding out.

All those thoughts zoom around, but you get to choose which ones you allow to land. Which ones are you going to spend time think- ing about? Make sure that the thoughts you let land are good ones. Choose to think about things that are true and right and beautiful (Philippians 4:8). If a bad thought tries to swoop in for a landing— and it will try!—just make sure it keeps zooming on by.

PRAY

Lord, please protect my thoughts. Fill my mind with things that are good and true—like how much I am loved and blessed by You. Amen.