Daily Stop & Thinks

Warnings

Persistence

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to just try one more time. (Thomas Edison, prolific inventor)

Edison, we’re told, tried some experiments hundreds of times before he found a workable model of his idea. In the 21st-century we still profit from his work more than 100 years ago. Among his almost 1100 patents, he gave us the phonograph (does anybody today have one?), the incandescent light bulb, and the motion picture camera. Out of many failures came much success.

Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Decisions

It is choice and not chance that determines destiny. (Regina Brett, inspirational speaker)

A number of years ago a small college in the Midwest produced a film titled “Decision Determines Destiny.” They were targeting potential college students, stressing the importance of making the right decisions. Choice, after all, is one of the very few things in life that we can control. So, give careful thought to your choices; they will affect your life for good or ill.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (Proverbs 2:11)

Happiness

The trick is to find happiness in the brief gaps between disasters (Christopher Paolini, American screenwriter)

This writer gives the impression that life is mostly a series of disasters. That may be true for some, but for most of us, the disasters are the gaps in an otherwise satisfactory life. His point, however, is good for us to consider. Is it just a “trick” to find happiness or is there a way to experience joy and contentment for most of our days?

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. (Romans 15:13)

Forgiving

Forgiveness changes the memory of our past into a hope for our future. (Lewis B. Smedes, late theology professor)

We sometimes hear someone say, “I can forgive you, but I can’t forget.” Either that person really wants to hang on to the hurt and hasn’t really forgiven, or she doesn’t understand the true nature of forgiving. When God says he won’t remember our sins, it’s most likely he simply means he will no longer hold those failures against us. Could we say, he remembers to forget them?

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. (Psalm 25:7)

Usefulness

It’s not in what we do not have, but in the way we use what we do have. (Charles Munson, late Canadian political figure)

How often have you heard the excuse (maybe you’ve used it yourself) that “if I only had this or that, I’d be able to . . .” A better tool, a more convenient workspace—the list of “wants” could be endless. Munson gives us another perspective. Take inventory of what you do have and ask how you can use them to complete your project.

The diligent make use of everything they find. (Proverbs 12:27)

Your Future

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. (Alan Kay, American computer scientist)

Some people are so concerned about the future that they consult astrologers, tarot card readers, and other seers to give them assurance about what’s ahead. There’s not much to gain from such pursuits. There’s no way to know what your future holds, but you can” invent”—plan, prepare, and work hard, using the gifts and dreams God has given you.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

Serving

The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. (Albert Schweitzer, 19th-20th century Alsatian humanitarian)

That was the one thing Schweitzer said he knew about others whose destiny he didn’t know. He had given his life in a variety of ways, including giving benefit concerts in Europe to raise funds for his medical work in Africa. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, he was recognized as a true servant to all whom he could help. Certainly, a worthy example to follow.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10)

Stick to It

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. (Harriet Beecher Stowe, 19th-century American author)

One of life’s hardest decisions may very well be when to quit. Whether it’s a career question or working on a project that isn’t going well. Sometimes it’s just too easy to give up and move on to something else. But patience and perseverance may be all that’s needed to keep going and discover that you really can succeed in the career or the project.

I don’t mean to say that I have . . .  already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. (Philippians 3:12)

Finding Fault

To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult. (Plutarch, ancient Greek philosopher)

Things must not have been much different in the first century before Christ. Finding fault is still an easy practice for too many of us. When we are critical of others and their work, we often are speaking out of a sense of pride as if we wouldn’t make the same kinds of mistakes. How much better it would be if we were simply to work hard to do better at our own work and service.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2)

Planning

Most of us spend more time planning for one week of vacation than planning for our destiny in life. (Michael Hyatt, leadership author)

A trip to Disney World at Christmas or the oceanfront cottage in the summer—either takes a lot of planning. Travel, accommodations, clothing—all, and more, have to be thought through well in advance, requiring lots of time. But what about planning for your education, your career, your job advancement? And, more importantly, have you made plans for eternity?

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (Mark 8:36)

Perfection

Perfection intimidates; compassion inspires. (Lysa TerKeurst, author)

Are you a perfectionist? Everything on your desk has to be in perfect order and alignment. You shudder if you make the slightest mistake in speech or writing—or when anyone else does. It would no doubt improve our relationships if we could learn to express compassion, not criticism, toward others. And TerKeurst also advises: “Give yourself permission to not be perfect.”

Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)