May 16, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Ezekiel 38:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: 

The southern humorist Jerry Clower told a story about eating sardines in mustard sauce. He had no desire to eat any sardines, he was not even really hungry, but he saw a friend of his walking down the sidewalk with mustard sauce all over his mouth, hands, and shirt. Immediately he had a craving for the mustard sauce sardines. The punch line of the story went something like this, “You done flung a craving on me.” This description of the story is not nearly as funny as the way he told it.

Years ago, as a local sales representative I called on hospitals to peddle medical products. One of the first things I did was establish routes that would allow me to visit each hospital in my area once a month. It seemed as if every month I would stop at one of the hospitals around 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon. It was quite a drive to that stop and upon arriving in the lobby I had a little hunger pang. So, I would buy a bag of M&Ms for a little pick me up prior to making the sales call. This became a routine for about three years. After becoming a sales manager, I no longer visited that facility monthly. About five years later I once again visited that hospital with the new representative for that territory. As soon as I walked in the lobby, I had a craving for a bag of M&M’s. I had not even thought about that little treat in years but the surroundings, the smell, and the sight of the gift shop all worked together to fling a craving on me. It came into my mind to eat M&M’s, which, of course I did, but only for nostalgia’s sake.

Things come into our mind in various ways, and they last for a long time. Cravings can start as thoughts that are stimulated by our five senses. Our senses cause things to come into our mind. As the little children’s song goes, “Oh be careful little eyes what you see, Oh be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, Oh be careful little eyes what you see.” The next verse deals with feet, then mouth, etc. This song is great for kids, it’s also great for us big ‘uns too (poor grammar in honor of Jerry Clower). Writing this has “done flung a craving on me” I think I’ll go get some mustard sardines! On second thought maybe some M&M’s.

May the Lord bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William T. Howe