Daily Stop & Thinks

Limits

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and speaker)

How much strength and endurance do you have? It’s when we face a task that is more difficult than we had expected that we discover our limitations. That’s a good thing to know. We’ll not likely sprain a muscle if we recognize how far we can go and stop short of hurting ourselves. The same principle applies when we face tests of our character.

When we run into problems and trials, . . . we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character . . . (Romans 5:3-4)

Now and Later

A person has to be careful about things he might regret years from now. (Linus, a character in the Peanuts cartoon)

Charles Schultz used his cartoon characters to remind us of simple but significant truths. Whether it’s an ill-chosen word or an unintended faux pas, its impact may hurt at the moment and recur in one’s memory for months or years. Setting a guard on our words and interactions with people is the best protection from long-lasting hurt.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. (1 Peter 2:1)

Problem-Solving

The four truths of solution-driven communication: communicate truthfully, tenderly, timely, and tactfully. (A retired clergyman)

Whether in positions of leadership or merely facing interpersonal problems, we could all use these four truths to find solutions to our problems. Surely truth should be the foundational element of any discourse. We need to judge the proper moment for confrontation; timing can be extremely important. And tact and tenderness are elements we should always practice.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Happiness and/or Love?

There are two pillars of happiness. . . One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away.” (Arthur Brooks, American author)

Americans like the phrase in the Declaration of Independence, “the pursuit of happiness.” It seems almost universally true that people are seeking happiness more than anything else. Brooks’ observation is more in tune with Scripture that teaches happiness is not so much a goal as the result of pursuing higher purposes in life, especially the kind of love that puts others first.

If I could speak all . . . languages . . .  had the gift of prophecy, . . . understood all of God’s secret plans . . . possessed all knowledge, and . . .  could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)

Better Two or Three

If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together. (African proverb)

To put it another way, “When time is of the essence, fly solo.” No matter how you say it, it’s a helpful reminder, especially for those of us who tend to “run alone.” Pastor Chris Suitt makes this application: “[People] with a solid support group handle tough times a lot easier.” We need like-minded companions to help us to think properly and to make wise life choices.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Peace

You can’t create chaos in the lives of others and expect peace in yours. (Moran Richard Oliver, author and speaker)

The long, drawn-out political season has been over for a few months—or has it? We might have hoped for a season of peace and unity, but political disagreements continue to produce debate if not genuine chaos. One might wonder if the out-spoken political activists who cause distress for others have any peace within themselves. True peace is never the result of political decisions.

Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Reality

Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th U.S. president)

We’ve heard it said that some people “are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” That may describe some professing Christians, but it might be said about some astrologers, too. The point is, a truly godly person will live a life of purpose and devotion to God, aware of the world around him but, also, fully committed to knowing God and his Word.

Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Judging

Never judge a stranger by his clothes. (Zachary Taylor, 12^th U.S. president)

We are prone to do that, aren’t we? We assume that a well-dressed and carefully groomed person has good social status and is prosperous. On the other hand, someone dressed poorly may cause us to think less highly of him or her. It reminds us of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Let’s not let first impressions cause us to make false assumptions.

If you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. (James 2:9; but read vv. 1-8 also)

Learning

A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest. (C.S. Lewis, late British scholar)

Even though Lewis wrote both children’s fiction and Christian apologetics, readers of The Chronicles of Narnia will attest to the deep philosophical and theological allusions illustrated in his stories. Likewise, the readers of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books can benefit from his good life application principles. In either case, child-like belief helps everyone learn.

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17)

Goals

All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. (Pablo Neruda, late Chilean Nobel Prize winner in literature)

It is no doubt true that people generally want to be known for who they are rather than just what they look like or what their ethnic background is. After all, what we are is more important than what we do, because actions are the result of who we are. A far better goal, however, is to achieve recognition for what we have become rather than what we once were.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. (Romans 8:29)

To Be Loved

I have feelings too. I am human. All I want is to be loved for myself. (Marilyn Monroe, late movie actress)

What a sad commentary from a world-famous personality. She was known, of course, for her physical beauty, and several men pursued and married her. None of those marriages lasted, because they were not based on genuine love, which is selfless, always seeking the good of the loved one. We should seek for the unloved, care for them, and introduce them to God’s love.

Sadly, while the world craves love, it too often settles for mere physical pleasure.

 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud . . .  [It] rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 6-7)

Wisdom

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. (Arthur Brooks, author and speaker)

Tomato is an interesting word. Is it pronounced tomAto or tomAHto? Is the plural tomato or tomatoes (either is correct, by the way). Is it fruit or vegetable? Apparently, it is a fruit, but Brooks is right. You don’t want to put it in a fruit salad, but it’s a necessity in a vegetable salad. Its usage is a small but excellent example of practical wisdom.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. (Psalm 111:10)