Daily Stop & Thinks

Friendship

The friendship that can cease has never been real. (Saint Jerome, 5th-century priest and historian)

Do you remember a childhood friend you “pinky-pledged” never to forget, whose name you can’t recall now? The kind of friendship that is really precious and strengthening is one that never fails. It endures through the hard times when there may be disagreements and even confrontations. If it’s real, however, like love, it will endure.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 17:17)

Hard Times

The hard days are what make you stronger. (Aly Raisman, former Olympic gymnast)

No one really likes the hard days even though they may make us better people. Author Tim Kight suggests an important factor about those hard times: “The way you respond has an impact on the people around you. Your response is deeply personal but is rarely private.” When we allow those hard times to make us stronger, we can really be a help to others in their hard times.

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. (Ecclesiastes 7:14) So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! (Psalm 31:24)

Truth

It’s better to wrestle with truth than wallow in turmoil. (Lysa TerKeurst, author)

It’s been said that truth hurts only when it’s applied. If we ignore truth, we won’t have to wrestle with it, but we will undoubtedly suffer the consequences of such ignorance. It often is hard to handle the truth, especially if it makes us aware of our shortcomings, but to wallow in it is to continue confusion and unsolved issues. It is better to face the truth and adjust to it.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.  (John 3:21)

The Tongue

Among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness. (The Bible)

The writer continues, “It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself” (James 3:6). Earlier James wrote: “If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way” (v. 2). In a time when hatred and biased speech seem to come from everywhere, it’s good to recognize that a civil tongue can overcome much hatred.

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life (Proverbs 15:4).

Teams

A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him. (John Maxwell, leadership guru)

It’s a rare person who can lead and control his followers and their mission without assistance. Most successful leaders assemble a crew of skilled and highly motivated cohorts to assist. From national presidents and CEOs to shop foremen and chairpersons, they achieve most who are supported by chosen team leaders. Don’t go it alone. Chose and use the best talent you can find.

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exodus 18:25)

Memories

Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. (C. H. Spurgeon)

Tombstones may tell interesting stories by the etchings in the stone. Flowers can be placed on the grave as a memory of the love for the lost one. But, as Spurgeon suggests, the most valuable memories are from the loving life of one whose grave is being marked. We should live in such a way that our care of others will be a life-long memory for those we leave behind.

We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. (Proverbs 10:7)

Wisdom

But wisdom is shown to be right by its results. (The Bible)

The proof is in the pudding. “Generally, the expression [is] used to say that the real worth… of something can only be determined by putting it to the test by trying…it, …just as the best test of a pudding is to eat it” (dictionary). That’s certainly true about thinking matters. Talk is cheap; the test is in the reality of its expression.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Friends

Friends are God’s way of taking care of us. (Unknown hospice worker)

Christians believe that God is really all they need. He promises to provide for his children, and many can testify to his abundant provision. One of those wonderful provisions is friends. Whether long-time or just-at-the-right moment, when God sends a friend to help in a time of need—what a great blessing that is! Be a good friend and be grateful for your good friends.

Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends (Luke 16:9). A real friend sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Creativity

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. (Maya Angelou, late American poet)

Angelou’s comment is an encouragement and a challenge. Sometimes we may feel that we just don’t have any more good ideas, our creative pool seems to be drained. If we understand that we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), whose creativity is unlimited, it should inspire us to keep those inventive juices flowing, aided with a prayer for God’s help.

I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make . . . They excel as craftsmen and as designers. (Exodus 31:6; 35:25)

Companions

If you choose bad companions no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself. (Aesop’s Fables)

This is really good advice for young people who are often attracted to friends who seem to have so much, accomplish so much, and have great influence among their peers.  Even when it is suspected that their activity is not always above board, the attraction for apparent success may be overwhelming. That’s why parents must help them choose the right friends and stick with them.

You must not associate with people who claim to be believers but continue to live in sin (1 Corinthians 5:11). Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts (2 Timothy 2:22). 

Happiness

Happiness is something that multiplies when it is divided. (Paulo Coehlo, Brazilian lyricist)

A truly happy person can hardly keep his joy to himself. It shows up in his smile, his speech, and his behavior. He or she will rarely keep it to themselves. Unlike sadness—which can often be clearly seen in another, joy may not be shared quite as easily or spontaneously. The person who shares his happiness is all the more blessed and happier. Do your best to make others happy, too.

A glad heart makes a happy face . . . for the happy heart, life is a continual feast (Proverbs 15:13, 15). Be happy with those who are happy. (Romans 12:15)

Think and Act

While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity (Publilius Syrus, 1^st century BC, Latin writer)

Does this sound counterintuitive to you? We are often encouraged to think before we act, to give a project careful thought before launching out. Maybe Syrus is warning against “over-think.” We can waste a lot of time trying to consider all the possibilities of a particular venture, losing the opportunity that is there to take. Think, yes, but act on what you’ve already discovered.

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:10)