Think Cool Thoughts Posted by Amy Storms on July 3, 2008

It's July in southern California—about 259 degrees outside—and today our air conditioner kicked the bucket. Or the compressor, or whatever an air conditioner kicks. Three kids, a grumpy mama, and it's too hot to be outdoors or indoors. 

We're filling up on Otter Pops and Wendy's Frosties to keep cool. (OK, I can't lie—we fill up on those things when the air conditioner works just fine. But today we had extra.) At the moment, the kids have cold washcloths across their foreheads, and they're reclining in front of a giant box fan.

I keep saying, "Think cool thoughts." Whatever that means. It's hard to imagine snow while you're sweating. 

All this heat brings a favorite verse to mind:

The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? And even better: that satisfaction and refreshment are ours eternally. Year round, even when the air conditioner fails. Isaiah foretold that a Messiah would bring lasting peace to all people. Jesus is our strength, our living spring, our ultimate satisfaction. 

In life, when the "sun" scorches, thinking cool thoughts won't get us very far. But thinking about God's goodness displayed in Jesus—now that's refreshing!