Daily Stop & Thinks

Revenge

An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind. (Mahatma Gandhi, 19^th-20^th century Indian nationalist)

When Jesus spoke of an eye for an eye, he was setting a limit on retaliation. It was the legal limit. You can’t ask for more than you’ve lost. As Gandhi rightly suggested, getting even leads only to more anger. He promoted peaceful protest. And the Bible urges us to leave the “getting even” to God. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” he says (Romans 12:19).

Live in harmony with each other. . . Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12;16, 18) 

Yesterday or Tomorrow

Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. (Lyndon B. Johnson, 36^th president of the United States)

Sometimes we might wish we could go back and do yesterday over again. We’d like to enjoy those moments once again. Or we’d like to erase some troublesome event from our history. Of course, we can’t go back, but as Johnson suggests, we can and should concentrate on the future, not the past. Let’s plan to do better tomorrow, to redo past good and create new wins.

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. (Psalm 20:4)

Time

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. (J. R. R. Tolkien, late British writer)

Decision, Decisions. We all make dozens of them every day. What to wear and eat? Which letters to answer? The movies or TV? But really, there are only a few really important daily decisions. Tolkien suggests what may be the most critical: choosing how to use our time. We have it now; soon it will be gone; how can we best use it for the greatest benefit?

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

. . .redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).

Health

A healthy outside starts from the inside. (Robert Urich, late American actor)

It’s a simple truth, but many of us ignore its importance. Obesity, alcoholism, drug addictions, and other physical maladies are clear demonstrations of its truth. Far more important, of course, is the intake of our minds and spirits in a world afloat with harmful ideas about morality, ethics, and social issues. For a healthier life, we need to put a guard on our mouths and our minds.

It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. (Mark 7:15)

Ideas and Words

Ideas shape the course of history. (Thomas Jefferson)

More recently, actor Robins Williams confirmed Jefferson’s thought: “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” The ideas that Jefferson put into words in the Declaration of Independence had a worldwide impact as it led to the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States. Be careful of the impact of your own words and ideas.

The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. (Psalm 119:160)

Jesus: “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Matthew 24:35)

Be Strong

Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient. (Steve Maraboli, behavioral scientist)

We may wish that things would be easier as we grow older and that our mistakes would be more easily corrected. But experience has shown it’s useless to ignore the realities of life. So, Maraboli’s observation can be very encouraging. The difficulties may still arise, but if we are diligent in working at it, we can overcome hard times by our stronger character and training.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Perspective II

No idea is so antiquated that it was not once modern. No idea is so modern that it will not someday be antiquated. (Ellen Glasgow, American author)

The wise Solomon wrote, “Nothing under the sun is truly new” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Young people may think that the ideas of an older generation are really out-of-date. Indeed, they may be, but they were once current and relevant. And today’s ideas will one day be thought out-of-date, too. It would be best to look for never-ending truth and live by that.

But the word of the Lord endures forever. (1 Peter 1:25)

Perspective I

When things go wrong: Look at the bigger picture. (Source unknown)

Good advice! When we run into difficulties in our pursuit for success, we may be discouraged and think that it will never work out. Everything is doomed! Such a perspective looks too long and hard at the immediate, ignoring the “bigger” picture. How is this single incident related to the overall project? The wider look will help us move on from momentary failure.

You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” (Mark 8:33)

Keep Trying

Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th. (Julie Andrews, English actress)

The renowned inventor Thomas Edison enlarged on Andrews’ comment. He earlier had said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” If he had stopped experimenting at 9,9999 failed attempts, how much longer might it have been that the electric light or the phonograph had been invented? If you’re seeking a legitimate goal, keep working hard at it.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16).

Experience II

When was the last time you did something for the first time? (Sign in a restaurant)

Actually, this is a line from a song recorded in 2017 by Darius Rucker. It’s a challenge to some of us—perhaps those in the senior citizens class—who don’t like change or trying new things. But first tries can be like opening the door to the pursuit of experiences that could become joyful and beneficial. Dare to do something for the first time and see where it will lead.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33).

Experience I

Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. (Bill Katip, college president)⁠

Sometimes when we face a trying situation, we’re tempted to give up and move on to something else. But Katip’s counsel is to look at it positively. What new way may be opening up? Or, as Pastor Mike Lee put it, “Best question to ask when something negative happens? ‘What does this experience make possible?’” Tough events can be very good learning times.⁠

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3)⁠

Circumstances

Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe something inside them was superior to circumstances. (Bruce Barton, late American congressman)

How many times have you been overcome by the difficult circumstances of life? They cover you like a mattress, leaving you little breathing room and greatly restricted mobility. Like a mattress, if you are on top, however, circumstances can be used to good benefit. Don’t let the environment and the difficulties of life keep you from exercising your determination to move on.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7)