Daily Stop & Thinks

Thinking

A persistent train of thought, persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. (James Allen, 19th-20th century British writer)

Older translations of the Bible include “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Allen’s explanation of that idea makes it clear. The more you think about something, the more likely it will become an ingrained reality. He says further, “A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly . . ., shape his circumstances.”

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

True Religion

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French theologian)

Religious zealots can be dangerous. It isn’t that worship is hazardous; it’s when false doctrines are knowingly taught as truth. Today there seems to be a renewed interest in the “spiritual,” but we must be extremely careful to be sure that our spiritual interests are centered in “true religion.” In part that will be demonstrated by lifestyle, free from evil.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:27)

Happiness

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. (Victor Hugo, 19th century French novelist)

The young couple spooning under the moon by the lagoon in June might be a good picture of happiness. After all, they’ve found their “true love.” What is more lasting, of course, is that affection and caring that can last a lifetime in marriage. Unmarried individuals are happiest, too, when they know someone cares for them. Knowing God is to know love and happiness.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

Aging

It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes life worth living. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19th century physician and poet)

He also wrote, “Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” Continuing to be active certainly will slow the aging process. Being active with enthusiasm, no doubt, is even more helpful. And, don’t overlook Holmes’ reference to “faith in something.” Not just a blind hope, but a firm trust in something (someone) beyond yourself.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Be Yourself

Memo to Self: Don’t measure your progress using someone else’s ruler. (Binyamin Mughal, writer)

Life can be really hard when we spend our time and talent trying to live up to someone else’s expectations of us. Worrying about what others will think can really stifle our originality and creativity. We should not be unduly concerned about what others think about our work and effort so long as we are honest, truthful, and doing our very best.

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3)

Trust

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. (George Washington)

Civility is lacking in many circles today, so Washington’s advice should be well taken. The last suggestion is really good advice, but it’s sad that it’s even necessary today. It’s a shame that we can’t simply trust those we consider to be friends. Not everyone has our best interests at heart, so we do need to be careful; but let’s be sure to demonstrate our own trustworthiness.

Those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. . . . Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. (Proverbs 11:13; 25:13)

Truth vs. Lies

The fact is, truth is your truest friend, no matter what the circumstances are. (Abraham Lincoln)

How many people have stumbled over this simple principle? We try to make lies more acceptable by calling them “fibs” or “white lies,” but that doesn’t change the fact that they are, at least in part, untrue. If you always stick with the truth, you don’t have to follow up with more deceit to cover your dishonesty. As Lincoln says, “Truth is your truest friend.”

Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. . .The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:19, 22)

Choices

Big changes don’t have to be hard, but they do have to start with a choice. (Nathalie Thompson, author and motivational speaker)

Thompson continues, “This is where real change begins; this is where you start taking control of your life and how you choose to live it; this is where it all starts.” There are a lot of things in life we might want to change, but there are many things we can’t control. Choice, however, is still our privilege. If we want to see change, we will have to choose to do something about it.

A wise person chooses the right road. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

Good Counsel

A new pair of eyes can help solve old problems. (Chris Suitt, pastor)

When you face problems that don’t seem to have solutions, what do you do? You can worry a lot; you can try to muddle through, or you can just give up. Of course, you can and should pray. But Suitt’s idea is also very helpful. Trusted friends and advisors will see things from a perspective different from yours, and that might just be the first step to a satisfactory solution.

Those who take advice are wise. (Proverbs 13:10)

Plans succeed through good counsel. (Proverbs 20:18)

Starting Over

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. (C. S. Lewis, late British writer)

How often have we wished we could go back and start all over again? Because we can’t, we may decide to give up and move on to something else. If the project is worthwhile, however, start over again. Past disappointments don’t determine future failure. A restart with new plans and renewed determination may produce the desired result and a great sense of accomplishment.

But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. (Jeremiah 18:4)

Right & Wrong

The time is always right to do what is right. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

In fact, the Bible says, “It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17). But it isn’t always easy to know what is right and what is wrong, especially in a society where many believe there isn’t any such thing as absolute truth. Each person decides for himself what is right or wrong. When it’s tough to decide, ask God, the author of truth.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. (James 1:5)

Compassion

Both compassion and wisdom are virtues. But compassion without wisdom can be careless, even reckless. Wisdom without compassion is useless, even pharisaical. (Christopher Yuan, author, seminary professor)

Yuan continues, “True compassion flows from wisdom, and true wisdom results in compassion—there should be no dichotomy.” It is difficult at times to know how to respond to life’s difficult circumstances. We want to help, but will our help simply enable someone to continue in a wrong path? Always try to properly balance wisdom and compassion.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate (Luke 6:36)