Daily Stop & Thinks

Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. (Joshua J. Marine, author)

When you are faced with a challenge—perhaps an obstacle in your planned path, how do you respond? Some become discouraged; maybe they even give up altogether. The brave people who face the challenge head-on, no matter how difficult, most often are the leaders who win over such difficulties and discover that life has become more interesting and rewarding.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3). Consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3).

You have to be willing to be misunderstood if you’re going to innovate. (Jeff Bogue, pastor)

It’s generally thought that people don’t like change. The older you are, the more likely it is that you will resist change. Leaders with new ideas often have to face that reluctance; they come to understand that it is part of progress—to expect that their ideas will be resisted by some. It takes a good bit of courage and “thick skin,” maybe, to bring helpful change.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind (Romans 15:5).

I wrote some of the worst poetry west from the Mississippi River, but I wrote. And I finally sometimes got it right. (Maya Angelou, 20^th & 21^st centuries American poet)

Very few artists achieve instant success and fame. A writer may produce numerous short stories, novels, or poems, before he or she is ever published. What makes them successful, in addition to their great creative talent, is their perseverance and an attitude that seems to say, “Never give up!”

Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded (2 Chronicles 15:7).

God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves. (Joni Eareckson Tada, radio host)

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” Books have been written on this subject, but here is an answer that is succinct and enlightening. Paralyzed from a diving accident in her youth, Tada has had long experience as a quadriplegic, and she passes along the meaningful conclusion quoted above. God hates pain but often uses it to achieve good results in our lives.

In all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers. (Pope Francis)

We are surrounded by voices, all clamoring for our attention. In addition to personal interaction (e.g. conversations, speeches, or sermons) there is input from radio, TV, the Internet, ad infinitum. As the Pope has said, we are inclined to listen to those voices, witnesses of everyday life and events more than to those who should be our best sources, our teachers.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning . . . Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9). Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1:19).

If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want will be what you sacrifice. (Keith Minier, clergyman)

It may take a little thought to understand Minier’s statement. Perhaps he’s suggesting that if you aren’t willing to “pay the price” (whether it’s financial, physical effort, or careful study and planning), you may not get what you want. Instead, you’ll end up with something different that is both unintended and the result of misplaced hard work and effort.

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness … knowledge … self-control … perseverance … godliness … mutual affection … and … love (2 Peter 1:5-7). Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him (the Lord) (2 Peter 3:14).

I truly believe that the privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. (Viola Davis, American actress and producer)

We most often think of other people as privileged if they are born into wealth or have some unusual natural ability. In some societies there are various classes based on economics, social position, or wealth. Davis, however, even as an actress recognizes there is an innate privilege in all human beings. After all, they are created in the image of God.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. (Babe Ruth, early baseball slugger)

Baseball fans know that Babe was the longtime homerun hitter whose 60 homeruns in a single season set the record for many years. Many will not remember, however, that he was also the strikeout king. You can’t hit the ball if you don’t swing, and if you swing, you might miss. So, you have to keep at it to achieve your goals even when you miss many times on the way.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown (James 1:12).

Success without successors is failure. (Hans Finzal, author and speaker)

We probably all know of businesses or charitable ventures that reached great success until the founder/leader died or retired. The successors were never capable of maintaining the growth, and the venture either diminished or shut down. Finzal’s statement provides another gauge of success. You haven’t been successful unless your successor is successful, also.

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher (Luke 6:40).

There’s no point to living life unless you make history . . . and the best way to make history is to help others. (Ben Platt, American actor)

It’s not surprising, perhaps, that an actor would seek to make history. He may wish to win an Oscar or perform so well that he is acclaimed worldwide for his Thespian skills. Yet, Platt notes how best to live a worthy and fruitful life: “help others.” Rather than seek fame the really accomplished person will be engaged, and be noted for, his service to his fellow men.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10). Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be. (Og Mandino, late American author)

Too many of us are satisfied with less than our best effort. We try to do well, but we may have fallen prey to the “menace of mediocrity.” That is, we do only what we are supposed to do—no more, no less. If our work is good enough to get by, why spend more energy or effort to do more. As Mandino implies, that effort will never achieve great success. Work harder!

All hard work brings a profit (Proverbs 14:23). Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).