Don't Go There

I am now about ready to give you a very powerful tool in your arsenal.

It is a powerful little saying that can change your life.  I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but here it is:

“Don’t go there.”

That’s it.  And if you need to you can use the “extra strength” version:

“Don’t even go there.”

Our thoughts are like undisciplined little brats.  If left undisciplined, they will run all over the place and do a lot of damage. 

Look.  There are some things you simply cannot think about.  You can’t “go there.” 

I know, I know.  Thoughts just pop into your head.  Well, then, kick them out.

What would you do with an unwanted intruder in your home?  I liked the marquee I saw in front of a business in Tallahassee one time.  It said, “I am guarding this place 3 nights a week with a shotgun.  You guess which nights.”

Unwanted intruders get shot, not entertained.  It must be the same with our thoughts.  When unwanted thoughts pop in, don’t entertain them.  Shoot them!  And right here is your silver bullet, this little phrase.  As soon as a cruddy thought pops into your head, slam the door shut by telling yourself, “Don’t go there!”

You know what, I think a lot of depression could be solved with this little phrase.  As soon as some depressing thought pops into your head, just say, “Don’t go there!”  As soon as some temptation presents itself, just say, “Don’t go there!”  If it’s really tempting, bring out the big gun, a “Don’t even go there!”

Sometimes it might feel like a shooting gallery.  Bad thoughts popping up everywhere.  And you know how it is, thoughts can be triggered by the smallest things.  Memories can be stirred up by certain scents or songs or even TV shows.  These may want to drag your mind down a certain destructive path.  Well don’t go there! 

Officials are always talking about suicide prevention.  Not long ago a friend left me a voice mail about someone she knew who had just committed suicide.  But suicide is just the end of a very bad train of thought.  If only they would have told themselves early on, “Suicide?  Don’t go there!”

God is very interested in our thoughts, and He tells us what to think about.  Philippians 4:8 says,

“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.”

And if anything else tries to push its way through the door of your mind today, just put it square in your sights and say:

“Don’t go there!”

(As heard on Wave 94.1 FM)

dougapple@wave94.com

www.wave94.com