We were all able to sleep better last night knowing that Tom Brady’s stolen Super Bowl jersey has been found! On a serious note, I’m glad the FBI and other authorities were able to track down and recover the missing keepsake.  

This has become a huge wake-up call for the NFL, as the guy who took the jersey had been a credentialed media member over the last few years because of his previous position at a Spanish-language newspaper.

Important questions to raise are how could someone enter the Patriots’ locker room and walk out with the jersey in hand? Where was security? Why wasn’t anyone guarding Brady’s stuff? Why was this kind of access given? 

This situation will result in necessary changes, as the NFL should be protecting their players and doing a better job of tracking who is going in and out of the locker rooms. 

I think this debacle can actually be a wake-up call for us too. Are we aware of what we’re letting into our minds and hearts each day? Are we guarding our thoughts? Are we allowing media, culture, TV, music, or movies to alter our views and affect our character? Are we giving negative thoughts and emotions access to our hearts and mind? What kind of effect are the people we’ve invited into our lives having on us? 

We must recognize the danger of filling our minds and hearts with negativity and harmful thoughts and attitudes because once let in, greater damage can be done. Our actions flow from our hearts and what we think about, so we must stay alert and be on guard. 

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) to “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” 

As followers of Jesus, we must lean on the truth found in Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT): “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” 

The battle of the mind is a daily fight, but thankfully we know with God’s strength we can remain watchful, and careful as to what and who we allow entry into our lives.

Today, let’s place importance on protecting our hearts and mind. By making sure we are filled with God’s truth, our joy and peace will not be stolen. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I would place an importance on protecting my heart and mind, and be aware of what I’m allowing into my life. Please give me the strength to reject the negative things of this earth, so I can focus on the realities of heaven and my new life in Christ. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.