My youngest brother, Bob, is a charter boat captain on Lake Erie.  Most days you’ll find him on the lake with groups of eager fishermen ready for a day of fun.  They’re fishing for walleye and yellow perch.  However, the white perch, invasive to Lake Erie, gets caught too.  This was the case when Bob took my family fishing.  I was amazed at the dozens of times a white perch was on someone’s line.  My brother, who’s an expert in his field, knew exactly what to do.  He’d unhook the offensive fish and immediately drop it back in the water; the large walleye was dropped into the ice cooler.  Bob knew to hold onto the good and let go of the bad.

That’s exactly what we need to do with our thoughts: hold onto the good and let go of the bad.  Too many times we let worries and fears fill our thoughts.  “Can any one of you by worrying add a single day to your life? So do not worry , saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ” (Matthew 6:27; 31; 33 NIV) God is always with us; therefore, we don’t have to be afraid. “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV) We can hold on to the good thoughts that remind us God is on our side.  “Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which he will accomplish for you today…the Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NASB) Remember, we don’t have to keep anything negative. Instead, we can hold onto the good.