Thinking Out Loud

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE if everyone could hear each other’s thoughts? Imagine if you could focus on one person, and suddenly, you heard everything that person was thinking. What might you hear?

It would likely be surprising. After all, what would other people hear coming out of your brain? Would your mom find out you actually can’t stand her lemon pie? Or would your brother find out you used his toothbrush when you couldn’t find yours? Or would your best friend learn you thought his new shoes were ugly? Or would your teammate hear how you think you deserve the starting spot more than she does?

Our thoughts are ours and no one else’s. But they reflect our hearts, and God can see right into our hearts and minds. When our thoughts are filled with jealousy and anger, our actions soon follow. It might take work sometimes to keep our thoughts pure—or even “true, honorable, and right”—but it’s important to God that we do. When our thoughts stay positive and healthy, our actions will too.

DO

Draw a picture of one thing you can do that starts as a good thought about another person and turns into an action, like cheering for your friend on the team, sharing your snack, or hanging out with your sibling.

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me my own thoughts and mind. Please help me work to keep my thoughts pure and honorable so my actions will be too. Amen.

READ

Psalm 19:14; Romans 8:5-6