When I first became a fan of the NBA, it was not only during the Michael Jordan era, but at a time when the league was dominated by legendary centers like Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaq, Patrick Ewing, and Alonzo Mourning.
After these standout stars retired, the league hasn’t seen very many elite big men playing the center position. The NBA has become more about the 3-point shot and athletic wing players.
However, in recent years we’ve seen some young centers come in and make an impact. Two of the best at the position right now are Joel Embiid from the Sixers and Andre Drummond from the Pistons.
These two players are forming quite the rivalry and have had many contentious exchanges on and off the court. This week when they played against each other, there was back and forth trash talk and “competitive” interaction that ultimately resulted in Andre Drummond getting two technicals and an ejection from the game.
Despite the Sixers losing, Embiid may have won the upper hand in their ongoing battle. He told reporters after the game, “I think I own a lot of real estate in his head.”
It sounds like Embiid is taking credit for getting into Drummond’s head and causing him to get kicked out of the game for losing his cool. The rivalry is actually adding some intrigue to the Eastern Conference, and I think Embiid’s interesting comment is worth unpacking today.
As sports fans, we know what it’s like for a player to get into his opponent’s head, but a similar effect can also take place in our own lives.
Every so often it’s important to evaluate the answers to questions such as these:
- What or who is owning a lot of real estate in our head?
- Who or what is dominating our thoughts?
- What negative influences are taking over our mindsets?
- What hurtful words of others are still affecting our actions and beliefs about ourselves?
- What strongholds are still owning real estate in our mind?
- Are we buying lies and allowing them to dictate our thought life or does God’s truth take ownership in our mind?
Our thought life is so crucial to how we interact, respond, and behave every day, so we can’t allow harmful thoughts to infiltrate. We especially can’t give power to any person that is trying to hurt us with their words.
Instead, we should regularly assess what we’re thinking about and get rid of any negativity that has bought real estate.
Paul encourages us to focus our minds in this way: “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]” (Philippians 4:8 – AMP).
When these wonderful things take ownership of our mind, there won’t be any room for anything else to get in!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that You would renew and purify my mind. I pray I would shift my focus to You and whatever brings You glory. Please help me fight against any harmful or negative thoughts from entering my mind. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
