Tangled Thinking

Read: Psalm 119:41-48

“Ouch!” grumbled Ember one morning as she yanked the brush through her thick hair.

“You could cut your hair, you know, or wear braids at night,” said her older sister Paige, who was propped up in bed with her Bible.

“Well, right now I just want to get it untangled!” Ember gritted her teeth as she pulled on the brush.

“Let me help.” Paige took the brush and started working on the snarls. “You should have strong arms after doing this so much,” she said as she attacked another section of hair. “Am I pulling too much?”

“No more than I do.”

After a few minutes, Paige put the brush on the dresser. “That should do it! Now I’d better finish untangling my head before I have to get ready for school.” She picked up her Bible again.

“What do you mean, untangle your head?” Ember asked as she stuffed books into her book bag. “Your hair doesn’t get in knots like mine does.”

“My hair doesn’t get in knots, but my mind does,” said Paige. “Sometimes I get really worried about things. Then I have trouble concentrating on schoolwork and other things I have to do throughout the day.”

“So how do you untangle it?” asked Ember. “A brush untangles hair. What untangles minds?”

“The Bible helps me. I make sure I read some verses from it every day,” replied Paige. “My thoughts seem to get tangled up all by themselves—just like your hair does—but reading God’s Word helps me remember that Jesus loves me and died for me and that He promises to be with me in every situation. Getting His Word into my mind helps me straighten out my thinking.”

“Maybe I should try that too.” Ember heaved her book bag to her shoulder. “But since my bus comes so early, doing it after school or before bed would work better for me.” She looked around. “Where’s my sweater?”

“Over there.” Paige pointed to the corner. “You’re right, Ember. You should try reading some Bible verses every day. Untangling your thoughts is even more important than untangling your hair!”

–Miriam K. Nowak

How about you? Do your thoughts get all mixed up sometimes? Do you worry about school, friends, or what’s going on at home? Pick up your Bible and let God’s words speak to your heart. They’ll remind you of how much Jesus loves you and His promise to always be with you. Get your thoughts untangled by focusing on the truth of God’s Word.

Today’s key verse: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Get God’s Word into your mind