Vexed

When I was a teenager, horror films were very popular.  Being scared by the likes of Jason, Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers was 'fun.'

If only I had known then, what I know now.

Once you see or hear something, it will forever be in your mind.  Oh, it can become buried in the deep recesses of your mind, but from time to time, something will trigger those memories and bring them back up to the surface.  Your train of thoughts can become a train wreck in a matter of moments if you're not careful.

If it can happen to Just Lot, it can happen to us.

(For the righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 2 Peter 2:8

When I see my thoughts detouring into a place they should not be, I sing Philippians 4:8 over and over in my mind:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

We are often told to guard our hearts and to guard our minds, but we also need to guard what we place in front of our eyes, because once we see something, it will not be forgotten.

King David knew this: in Psalm 101:3a he said, 'I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:"

Why?

Because whether it be good or bad, our eyes affect our hearts.

I can't go back and change the things I have already seen, but I CAN make sure I set only those things that please God in front of my eyes from now on...

    But that's just me!