I was recently lying awake in bed early one morning on a trip to Canterbury, England. I heard a rumbling noise, like thunder. I started to dismay, thinking of all my plans for that day that would be negatively impacted by rain — a boat ride on the canal, lunch on the terrace, an outdoor concert. At the next rumble, I began to think I had made a mistake coming to England in the summer. Why hadn’t I sought a sunnier locale? My mood was definitely taking a turn toward the negative. I didn’t even pack an umbrella!

A few minutes later, I got out of bed and opened up the hotel’s black-out curtains. It was not raining. It wasn’t even overcast. Just then, I heard the sound again I had taken to be thunder. It was a truck full of pipes, traversing the cobblestone street! Crisis averted.

How often do we immediately let our thoughts go to the “worst-case” scenario? How quick are we to go down the rabbit hole of how everything is going to be ruined? By thinking the worse, and playing out in my head how my perfectly planned day was going to go south, I put myself in a bad mood.

God has good plans for us; He does not seek to ruin our plans. For those that trust and follow Him, we can rest assured that whatever is in store, rain or shine, God wishes only the best for us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

May God help me to train my mind to think of the good things He has planned for me, and to not conjure up storm clouds in my head. May I focus my thoughts on ways I may creatively seek to serve Him and savor each and every day.