Did your doorbell ring a lot last night with Trick-or-Treaters?  We were a little slower than normal, but still managed to give all our candy away.  I saw children of all ages and some were way pass the acceptable age for trick-or-treating.  The little ones stole my heart and managed to carry away a lot of loot in their bags.  There was a little cowgirl and Indian duo I loved. The older ones, the ones who had no business being out, got less. I had no control over who came to my door, but I did have control over how I responded to them, who I entertained and who I sent away.  The little ones were invited in for a special holiday cookie or hot chocolate and they could choose the candy they wanted.  They were too sweet not to bring inside to visit a while. [Now, before you start to freak out, I knew their parents. Small children weren’t just walking into a stranger’s house eating whatever she offered.]
Our lives are similar to Trick-or-Treating.  We can’t always control the thoughts that come knocking at the door of our mind attempting to sneak in, draw our attention or take up residence. We are bombarded by thoughts day and night.  One site indicated the average person has seventy thousand thoughts a day.  That’s a lot of traffic passing through our mind. No wonder people have headaches.
We may not have control over what comes knocking, but we do; however, have complete control over the thoughts we invite in for a visit or to take up residence and those we need to send awayl.  Some people think their thoughts are harmless, but according to Jesus, they aren’t [Matthew 5:28]. Our thoughts shape our actions; our actions shape our habits; our habits shape our character and our character shapes our destiny.  We must guard our minds in Christ Jesus [Philippians 4:7].  In Philippians 4:8 Paul tells us “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.”
Thoughts will come and thoughts will go.  We are the gatekeeper of our minds.  It is up to us to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves when it comes to what we allow to enter our mind [Matthew 10:16]. Contrary to the old Paul McCartney song, we do not have to “Let ‘em in.”
What or who is knocking at the door of your mind? Is it safe to allow access to your mind or do you need to send it away? You would never allow someone who intends to harm you entrance into your house.  Be just as diligent with what you allow into your mind.