To Nest or Not to Nest

We live in days of total distraction. Don’t believe me? Take, for example, some of the following: people drive down the road, piloting that 2 ton metal beast they call a car down the road at breakneck speed, all while texting their friend whatever they feel is so important while endangering their life and the lives of others (of course, you and I would never do that, would we?). Or, how about this example: you sit down in a nice, comfy chair with your favorite beverage for a little quiet time and then the phone rings, or the doorbell rings, or you hear a strange noise coming from the refrigerator. You’re now not thinking about the glorious few minutes of “uninterrupted” time you were going to have but must now check out whatever it is that has your attention. Ever settle in to watch a little TV or movie and sit there with your phone in your hands, catching up on the latest social media trends? Yep, we are distracted.

We try to concentrate, we attempt to get things done in a timely manner. Yet, there are so many things that race across our mind in a day it is hard to focus and it may leave us feeling “scatter-brained." We have tasks to be completed, people to deal with, menu choices to decide upon. Then there’s the news and all the worries that accompany it, concerns about our financial status, friendships, and relationships. We have a plethora of things that take up momentary space in our thinking. But...what do we DWELL on? What do we allow to take up residence in our heart and mind?

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

We have little control over the fleeting thoughts that enter our minds. But, we DO have control over what we allow to dwell there. Someone once told me, “You can’t keep a bird from landing in your hair, but you don’t have to let it build a nest there!”

Whatever we allow to take up residence in our mind, we better make sure that it aligns with scripture and is God-honoring. If it doesn’t help us grow closer to our Savior, it needs to be eliminated and given an eviction notice!

Here is a scripture that is a good litmus test of what we allow to become a part of our thoughts and character,

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things!" (Philippians 4:8)