Once, I had the opportunity to speak to over 100 second-graders about the power of choice, and being an overcomer. An analogy came to my mind while preparing that I’d like to share.
Where’s the Remote?
“Have you seen the remote?” my husband hollers from the living room.
Don’t laugh. How many of you know where your remote is? They magically disappear.
One precious tool. It might lay listless for long periods or it might go click,click, click continuously for hours, especially if the holder of the remote has ADHD. With only one remote per television, a frenzy pursues when it goes missing. The simple solution of walking over to change channels manually, doesn’t even cross anyone’s mind. Too hard.
Each remote contains the power to turn off or on the television, allows you to entertain yourself, get educated, fill your mind with fear, sadness, excitement, or with evil and filth. Sounds a lot like the thoughts in our brain, doesn’t it?
While thoughts come in our brain the way television shows do, we can control them with our own “remote.” Yes, we have the power to change them the way the remote does. We have the power of choice. With work, we can learn to use this power to switch or turn off our thoughts like we do channels. Many times we don’t want to put forth the effort, though, the same way we don’t want to walk over to the TV to change the channel. Other times we entertain our thoughts believing it doesn’t harm or affect us anymore than TV shows do.
Thoughts Become Actions
You see, our thoughts become actions…you know, reactions. In order to avoid wrong reactions, I’m going to suggest the same TV or thought channels I told the kids. Of course, with them, I recommended doing this when they wanted to give up or felt like a failure. However, this works with all of our thoughts and will improve our reactions as a result. You’ve got the power to change your channel!
To overcome, try one of these channels I thought of:
- Try, try, butterfly. Don’t give up – practice, practice, and practice some more. It took me two years before I could tell a hamburger was done when frying it.
- Creative channel. Brainstorm for new ways to get the same thing accomplished.
- Comedy channel. Learn to laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Only the tough can laugh at themselves.
- Help channel. Know your limits and ask for help.
- Inspiration channel. Think of others you desire to be like. Think of scripture or your favorite song.
- Service channel. Put others first instead of thinking about your own situation. Think of ways to make others better, or to calm down.
You’ve Got the Power of Choice; Tap Into It!
You’ve got the power to change your reactions by changing your thoughts first. Others are counting on you.
Children are often unaware of how what’s playing on the television will impact them. A nightmare possibly. So, they don’t use their power of choice. . . their remote. However, our responses and reactions often set bad examples, leaving them to watching the bad shows in their own minds.
Left to their own demise, they haven’t practiced using their remotes and then when offered drugs, they don’t see anything wrong with it. If they do, they are easily persuaded and don’t realize their power of choice. Other mistakes are made by following the crowd, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or not behaving like ladies and gentlemen in relationships.
It’s time for us to hang on to and use our remotes and teach others through our example. Let’s start making a difference today.
What’s your biggest struggle with fighting your thoughts? Which channel do you think will help you the most?
© 2020, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Myra Carlisle Frazier says
Great analogy to show how we do have the power to take control of our thoughts. Very inspirational, Jena!
jena says
So glad you liked it, Myra. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to rea and comment. Blessings.
Amy Bovaird says
Hi Jena,
What a super post! I absolutely love it and plan to share it on my page! Thanks for your sharing your wonderful analogy and creativity!
Amy
Robin Dixon says
Good Morning Jena!
Try Try Butterfly is a channel that I have used often as an adult in teaching myself to play the piano. Practice! Practice! Practice! Through God’s help and loving patience, it has been so rewarding to learn to play and lead worship from the keyboard for our song services at Trinity! A mind set of positivity to say, I think I can, I think I can!
Through God equipping me! Yes! I can!
jena says
Hey, Robin. We’re super glad you stay tuned into the “Try, try butterfly” channel, and didn’t quit. God has used you mightily, thanks to your obedience. Thanks for sharing here and for sharing your talents and gifts with us. Blessings.