We were all able to sleep better recently knowing that Tom Brady’s stolen Super Bowl jersey had 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, since 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 consider: 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 needs to protect their players and do a better job of tracking who is going in and out of the locker rooms.

But I think this debacle can actually be a wake-up call for us, too. Consider this handful of personal inventory questions:

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 heart and mind?

What kind of effect are the people we’ve invited into our lives having on us?

It’s so important to recognize the danger of filling our mind and hearts with negativity and harmful thoughts and attitudes because once let in, much damage can be done. Our actions flow from our hearts and what we think about—so staying alert and on guard is critical.

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 can lean on the exhortation 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 enter into our lives.

Today, let’s place a premium on protecting our heart and mind. By making sure we are filled with God’s truth, our joy and peace will not be stolen.

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.

Check out more from Bryce Johnson on sports, faith, and life at Unpackin’It