Daily Stop & Thinks

Forgive

Letting go of grudges is not only good for your soul—it’s good for your health. (Heidi Raschke, attorney)

We all know how holding grudges affects both us and the person we’re mad at. If we can learn to forgive, getting rid of bitterness, there can be all kinds of benefits. Restoration with the other person, for example; he or she is relieved of a heaviness. Then, we have not only a restored relationship, but, as Raschke suggests, we will feel better physically and spiritually.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow . . . but love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18)

Satisfied

Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything. (Iman Ali, actress)

No doubt, we’ve all had experience in similar extremes. We can remember those days when there was not enough income to meet the bills. We had very little patience in waiting for the next check to come. There may have been times, also, when we seemed to have all we needed—and then some. Were we satisfied? Or, was our attitude always wishing for more?

Human desire is never satisfied. (Proverbs 27:20)

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Doing Our Best

If you can do what you do best and be happy, you are further along in life than most people (Leonardo DiCaprio, American actor)

Some people never seem to be happy in doing what they’re doing, whether it’s working at a job, studying at school, or practicing some sport or art. Others find joy in those things but always seem to be looking for something more satisfying. If you enjoy what you’re doing, keep at it. You’re not like others who never seem satisfied and are always looking for something else.

I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:33)

Purpose

History never looks like history when you are living through it. (John W. Gardner, late U.S. cabinet member)

Sometimes commentators say that we’re living in historic times. In reality, of course, all times are historic times—some more so than others, perhaps. If you look back over your lifetime, you will realize that some of those times you remember were historic, indeed. That thought should challenge each of us to live as if we’re involved in making history somehow. Live with purpose!

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other . . . and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2)

Serving

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. (Muhammad Ali, late boxing champion)

Ali’s statement may not be a new or unusual philosophical pronouncement. In fact, it’s quite simple and does suggest a sound life principle. We are not alone on this planet nor are we designed to live in isolation. So, our interaction with others should not be one-sided, always looking out only for our own interests. Serving others is a rewarding pursuit.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Patience

Waiting is as necessary as planting and fertilizing. (Charles Swindoll, pastor, author)

Swindoll writes of the little boy who plants the seed and then nervously digs it up every day to see if it is growing. That’s the impatience of youth, but it’s not unlike many of us who just “can’t wait” for the results of our hard work. Every worthwhile project requires careful planning, thorough working out of the plan, and patience. Don’t rush! Plan, pray, and expect!

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness. . . and by our sincere love. (2 Corinthians 6:16)

Others

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. (Harper Lee, author)

Author Toni Sorenson put it another way: “Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes isn’t as much about the walk or the shoes; it’s to be able to think like they think, feel what they feel, and understand why they are who and where they are. Every step is about empathy.” Look in the Bible for all the texts about how to treat “one another.” It can change your life.

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)

Teamwork

Many of us are more capable than some of us . . . but none of us is as capable as all of us. (Tom Wilson, professional athlete)

Who would know better about teamwork than an athlete? He or she may be a star, but each is dependent on the support of their teammates to be successful in winning. Even the winner in solo competitions (e.g. gymnastics or golfers) owes success in part to coaches, teachers, encouraging family, friends, and fans. Share your success with those who’ve made it possible.

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. (1 Corinthians 3:8)

Opportunity

If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t, you will see obstacles. (Wayne Dyer, self-help author)

According to Dyer, the mind-set and attitude you bring to a project will play a large part in its success or failure. Mr. Optimist is always hopeful; to him nothing ever seems as daunting as it does to Mr. Pessimist.  No matter the difficulty of the task, how you approach it just might be half the battle. Don’t just look for opportunities, expect them!

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2)

Courage

Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th president of the U.S.)

Often when we think about courage, we envision heroes in wartime or those who have helped in times of natural disasters. Many of them, no doubt, would confess to their fear and hesitation, but they responded anyway. Roosevelt offers a different and helpful definition. We must all persevere even when we feel we don’t have enough strength to continue.

Each time [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

Purpose

Fulfill your life purpose. Living with purpose should bring more joy than reaching your goals. (Tom Roy, sports figure, author)

We’re often challenged to pursue our goals with diligence and persistence. It’s a worthy challenge, but Roy suggests another motivation. Aiming for specific achievement is important, but even more essential is having a reason for what we’re doing. What is our purpose? Why do we do what we do? Fulfilling our purpose brings great satisfaction along the way.

Our purpose is to please God, not people. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. (1 Corinthians 9:26)

Loneliness

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. (Audrey Hepburn, late British actress)

It’s another way of saying what John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself.” We have all experienced times of loneliness when we cry out for someone to be near, “If only there were another person to talk to, someone to share my burden!” The psalmist wrote, “I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.” We’re human; we need companionship.

 It is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed. (Psalm 55:13-14)