The Devil's Playground

   “Occupy your mind with good thoughts, or the enemy will fill them with bad ones.  Unoccupied, they cannot be.”  (St. Thomas More)

   There’s an old saying that says idle hands are the devil’s workshop.  I don’t know about idle hands, but an idle mind is certainly Satan’s playground.  When our thoughts are not properly directed the evil one will take every opportunity to turn those thoughts to evil.

   Life has a way of pulling us away from God.  It’s nearly impossible to continuously think of our Lord and there are so many other things to occupy our mind and our time.  How are we protect our thoughts from the evil one?

   We must always be alert to Satan trying to steal into our mind.  As soon as we recognize his influence in our thoughts or ideas we must immediately turn to God and seek His help.  Even in times of prayer the devil will try to insert himself into our thoughts.  Responding with a simple phrase like “God, help me” can turn Satan away in such times.  Satan will always flee when we call on the Lord.

   The devil is always there, waiting to attack.  Thankfully, God is always there as well.  When we turn to Him He will strengthen us and drive the evil one from us.

Lord, our mind sometimes wanders.

Don’t let it wander to sinful thoughts.

Protect us from the evil one.

Come to our help when we call.

Amen