I awoke about 4 this morning. As I looked out over the room, thermometers began to appear. I got up and walked about them. People’s names were on many of them. But so were words like children, family, finances. Some had Facebook and workplace written on them. I went back and sat on the bed. Then I began to see walls and on the walls were thermostats. These thermostats had names as well.

After staring and thinking I got up again.

For years we have heard, preached and taught about “be a thermostat and not a thermometer”. What does that mean to us? Has it changed?

A thermometer records temperature change. It will tell you it is 32 degrees outside. (Prophesying warming up!) One of the thermometers I saw was poked in the side of a turkey. It will tell you the temperature. (In this case of the body of the turkey after being cooked.) People are often talking about the weather, but rarely do we talk about changing it. What happens is people will dress for the weather they see on their phone or what they “see” out their window as a result of temperature

Temperature to a believer can be what they see on Facebook. An argument with a friend or family member. A car accident or a bad grade. If you respond to the temperature, you will dress for it, but not necessarily be ready for the next thing. (Taking temperature is often why there is drama in one’s life.)

One of the other things it does not take into account is the “wind chill”. Wind chill is the perceived effect of wind on a body. Perceived effect. The wind changes things as well in people’s minds.

So whether it is Facebook, your job, your family or something else, if you are always “checking” in and responding you may be subject to temperature change.

And then there were the thermostats. Thermostats do have thermometers. But they are not constantly checking the temperature. Setting a thermostat to a particular temperature causes it to engage if the temperature goes above or below a predetermined set temp. It will not turn on a furnace or an air conditioner unless the temperature moves above or below its set range. It determines the temperature and maintains it. It does not waver.

As a believer matures they ought to move from being a thermometer to being more of a thermostat. The ups and downs ought to diminish or subside. They ought become subject to what they believe rather than what they see, feel or perceive. A thermometer is less about trust. Less about rest. Pushing for constant or continual change. Whereas a thermostat is established in its place. Controlling the atmosphere. Establishing a norm.

If Facebook posts get you going. Stop taking the temperature. Walk away or become more like a thermostat and establish the values of God. If family is overwhelming, be honest and ask yourself why. Determine to be more consistent or steadfast. A thermostat has a plan for the atmosphere. A thermometer is subject to the atmosphere. A thermometer is always checking. A thermostat only moves when it is necessary to move.

For instance if a thermostat is set for 70 degrees, a thermometer can bounce around in the plus 70 range but it will never cause the thermostat to move unless it travels below that number of 70. Conversely it can be all over the place in sub 70 temps but the thermostat has already moved and is bringing up the temperature.

And not every thermostat will be set the same. I remember a few years ago the temperature had changed. My van was set for heat. Front and back. I turned on the air conditioner in the front, cooling down my wife and my self. Meanwhile after a few minutes my daughter was taking off her jacket and sweater. Sweat was on her face. I had neglected to set the rear of the van to AC as well.

God is ultimately our thermostat, working in conjunction with His people, placing His value in them. Harmony results.

It may seem fun to be a thermometer for a while, seeing what you see, but over time it can create unnecessary busyness. Loss of rest. Lack of peace. Jesus was the rock. Our thermostat. He is our peace. Our rest.

We need people who change atmospheres and establish peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. We need people of unwavering faith. Of unchanging love and devotion. Grace empowered world changers. Overcomers of perception and perceived realities.

Let the world be changed by those “set” by God.