Your Thoughts Have Wheels

Your Thoughts Have Wheels

Tracie Miles

The day started fine but ended with confusion. As a timid middle-schooler, I climbed the steps of my school bus eager to get home. Sitting quietly in my seat, all of a sudden I got this sinking feeling. Although my surroundings appeared the same, something was not right.

The bus was the normal sunshine yellow, littered with the usual misplaced pencils and wadded-up papers, but I felt out of place. That’s when I realized I did not know the kids around me. And I had never seen the bus driver. Frantically, I searched for anything familiar. My heart raced with panic as I realized, I’m on the wrong bus!

Although I was headed somewhere, it was not where I wanted to go. I’d been so distracted by thoughts of sleepovers and how much homework I had that I was not focused on where I was going. As a result, I ended up somewhere I did not want to be (though I finally did make it home!).

Thinking back on that day, I’ve considered how our thoughts determine a lot about the direction of our lives. Like the school bus, our thoughts will always take us somewhere, but it may not be where we really want to go.

If we spend time thinking about how the boss does not appreciate us, our thoughts will take us to a bad attitude at work.

If we focus on how much we do for others and how little we feel appreciated, our thoughts will take us to a place of resentment.

If we fume over something our husband or kids did, and mentally practice the harsh words we plan to say, those thoughts will lead us to arguments, hurt feelings, and damaged relationships.

If we dwell on why God has allowed problems in our lives, we will transport ourselves into insecurity and unhappiness.

If we focus our thoughts on money, career, success, and pleasure, we will find ourselves frustrated and discontent.

Our thoughts are powerful and require great self-control. If we allow them to run rampant, focusing on things that lead us away from God, we will wind up at a destination we would never deliberately choose. Scripture teaches us to carefully choose what we think about because our thoughts determine who we are and how we live.

My childhood memory reminds me to consistently keep my mind on God and the thoughts He has for me. That way I can live according to His plans and with His perspective, seeking to be aware of where my thoughts may lead me.

Our thoughts really do have wheels. Where are your thoughts taking you today?

Dear Lord, please help me to take my thoughts captive, focusing on things that are pleasing to You. Please give me the desire to honor You and abide by Your Word in any area of my thoughts I am struggling to do so. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

Our thoughts are powerful and require great self-control.

REFLECT

What negative thought patterns can you identify?

RESPOND

Draw a picture of a road that forks. On one side of the fork, write down your negative thoughts and notice the destination to which they lead. On the other side of the fork, write down what God’s Word says and determine to stay focused on His truth instead.

POWER VERSES

Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2