Daily Stop & Thinks

Running away from our problems is a race you’ll never win. (Author unknown)

When you are confronted with problems, how do you respond? There are probably many ways you can go: ignore them, pretending they’re not there; try to see them as someone else’s responsibility, or face them with determination and effort to overcome. Knowing that you can’t successfully avoid problems, it’s best to seek help, if necessary, and face them head-on.

My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! . . . Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! (Psalm 25:17; 102:1) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance (Romans 5:3).

There is a bond deep within that binds us to one another. It is the glue of authentic love. (Fabienne Gassmann, fashion designer)

She continues “[Love expresses] itself in compassion, fairness, willingness to support . . . [It’s] without strings attached.” Gassmann probably was not thinking of the kind of love that we celebrate today on Valentine’s Day, which has become a day for lovers to express their affection for each other. Rather, her kind of love seeks only the best interest of the loved one.

 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. . . . Love will last forever! 1 Corinthians 13: 7-8

I’ve got to stop this business of talking without thinking. (Linus in the “Peanuts” cartoon)

Everything seems to be happening at lightening-speed today. News runs across the bottom of the TV screen so fast you can hardly understand what’s happening. Music is often played at blinding speed. It’s just part of today’s culture. Consequently, we respond quickly when there’s an opening to speak. So, Linus’ advice should be taken and practiced carefully.

You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1:19). For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies” (1 Peter 3:10).

Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong. (Abraham Lincoln)

It really feels great to have friends who stand with us in the hard times. We want to stand with them, too. But, no matter how close, when our friends go in wrong directions and make poor choices we should no longer stand with them. Our choice, then, is to warn them with concern and lovingly try to help them make right decisions. To do so is to stand strong.

Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1).

Become a possibilitarian. (Inspiration Line)

A new word, eh? Here’s the thought: “No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities—always see them, for they’re always there.” That’s certainly a positive way to look at life and its problems, isn’t it? Just be sure your motives are pure and you’re pursuing worthy goals, trusting God for strength and wisdom.

Jesus: “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength, and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth. (Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President)

It’s our nature to admire physical strength and material wealth. But, as Eisenhower notes, there are some things more important than either of them. Man is more than a body; he possesses a soul and spirit. That’s where real life is. As men strive to grow in spiritual strength, the nation will grow as well, and both will serve to improve society and honor God.

Godliness makes a nation great. (Proverbs 14:34). O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people (Psalm 117:1).

The Gods we worship write their names on our faces; be sure of that. . (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century American essayist)

Emerson continues “. . . thus, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.” What a sobering thought! So, the question is, what are we worshiping? What are the things we crave most—that we spend most time doing and that have become our priorities? If we are becoming like them, we desperately need to change.

Those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them (Psalm 115:8). Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker (Psalm 95:6).

Here’s what’s cool: Writing ‘thank you’ notes, learning and using people’s names, and showing up on time. (Warren Buffett, investor and philanthropist)

These are three of the ten items that Buffett lists as “what’s cool.” You might think that a wealthy businessman would think more of practiced business principles than simple matters of courtesy. But these are principles we all should practice, showing gratitude and concern for other people and their interests.

Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). Wisdom from above is  . . . peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others (James 3:17).

What we don’t know can never excuse us from doing what we do know. (David Guzik, Bible commentator)

With the exponential increase in available knowledge, it’s impossible to know everything about one topic or even a little about multiple topics. The lack of breadth in knowledge, however, as Guzik suggests, cannot be a copout for ignoring our responsibilities. Most of us know what we should be doing and, if we don’t, we can always learn enough to fulfill our assigned tasks.

Don’t try to avoid doing your duty. . . . Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. (Ecclesiastes 8:3; 12:13)

Unless you increase, in equal measure with your knowledge, your judgment, and character, you will fail in the only thing that is important. (Antonin Scalia, late Supreme Court justice).

According to Scalia, everything flows from good judgment and character. He continues, “[Without those qualities], you will not be making yourself the best person you can be.” He seems to say that “the only thing that is important” is continual self-improvement which creates a reputation and character above reproach.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11).

The nation’s morals are like its teeth; the more decayed they are, the more it hurts to touch them. (George Bernard Shaw, 19^th-20^th centuries Irish playwright)

For anyone who has ever had a toothache, Shaw’s picturesque metaphor is easily understood. Hurting teeth are painful, obviously, but, apart from an accident, painful teeth don’t just happen. Neglect is the cause of many human pains, and that may be a clear diagnosis of the moral problem in today’s society. How much more important are good morals than good teeth?

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability (Proverbs 28:2).

In a life well lived, each succeeding day becomes better than the last. (John Homer Miller, former Marine officer)

Miller continues, “Each day, each year, each experience does not stand alone; it cannot be separated by what has happened before or what may happen after.” In our obsession with the future and what might or might not happen to us, we are tempted to overlook the value and importance of the present. Give full attention to today’s task, and the future will care for itself.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries (Matthew 6:34).