Daily Stop & Thinks

Assumptions

We reveal our character in the assumptions we make about others. (Adam Grant, psychologist)

Grant continues, “If you think people are dishonest and selfish, you might be dishonest and selfish. Those beliefs are self-fulfilling prophecies: expect the worst in others, and you bring out the worst in them.” What if the contrary is true: expect the best of others, and you will bring out their best? Wouldn’t that be a happier way to live and enjoy other people?

The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing (Proverbs 10:28)

Your Name

Here’s what’s cool: Learning and using people’s names. (Warren Buffett, wealthy philanthropist)

This is no. 2 in Buffett’s list of cool things. You might wonder how this business magnate accumulated his great wealth; maybe this is one of the factors in his success. Almost everyone likes to hear his name, and when you are addressed by someone you’ve seldom met, it’s impressive to be called by name. What’s more, God knows all of his creation by name.

He counts the stars and calls them all by name (Psalm 147:4).

Love vs. Hate

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

King also said, “Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” What a terrible burden it is to carry hate in your heart. It affects your relationships with almost everyone else, friend or rival, and it occupies your mind so much that you can’t think clearly or positively about others. You will find great relief when you forgive and act toward the hated one with love and care.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good (Romans 12:9).

Confrontation

Life without confrontation is directionless, aimless, passive. When unchallenged, human beings tend to drift, to wander, or to stagnate. Confrontation is a gift. (David Augsburger, author)

Do you like confrontation? Many people try to avoid it at almost any cost. But Augsburger’s comments are challenging, to say the least. Our parents confronted us when we did wrong, and their discipline not only corrected us, but it set us on the path for improvement and growth. So, when it’s necessary, we will benefit if we confront others lovingly and accept it graciously.

Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin (Leviticus 19:17).

Persistence

Failure is the path of least persistence. (Church sign board)

This simple maxim is not difficult to understand, but it could have a profound effect in helping a lazy person learn to achieve. If the lack of determination is the reason for failure, then learning to stick with a task will surely guarantee its success, won’t it? Well, perhaps it isn’t a sure-fire guarantee, but it certainly will improve your chances of accomplishing your goal.

Keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you (1 Peter 4:19)

Influences

There’s always something you can’t see controlling what you can see. (Priscilla Shirer, motivational speaker and author)

Anyone who has worked at a computer has discovered Shirer’s words to be true. It’s aggravating when what you intended to happen doesn’t because something in cyberspace or hidden in your software program has affected what you typed in. Unfortunately, it’s true in real life, too. Be on guard lest your heart and mind are affected by subtle negative influences.

The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice (Micah 7:3).

Community

Community is not something you find; it’s something you build. Community is not something discovered; it is something forged. (James Emerson White, religious commentator)

White concludes: “My point is that all relationships of worth are products of labor.” Whether it’s teamwork in sports, political alliances, musical groups, or any other kind of group activity, the greater the cooperation, the greater the success. Cooperative achievement in community is the result of unity (part of the word itself) and hard work.

Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults . . .  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Greener Grass

If the grass looks greener on the other side… Stop staring. Stop comparing. Stop complaining. And start watering the grass you’re standing on. (Eugene Cho, non-profit leader)

It’s an old cliché, but it’s also true to life, isn’t it? Things on the other side of the fence often seem so much more attractive than what’s on our side that we are tempted to jump the fence. Cho wisely advises us to stop thinking that way. If we work hard where we are now and renew our commitment to the present task, we will no doubt see our own grass become greener.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else (Galatians 6:4).

Action

A plan without action is just a plan. (Rebekah Radice, business consultant)

Having a brilliant idea or conceiving a great plan is a good beginning, but that’s all it is. The next steps are equally important. How do you get that idea out of your mind and into something concrete? How is that well-developed plan going to move from blueprints into three-dimensional reality? It’s obvious, isn’t it? You have to be intentional to act on the plan.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. . . . Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity (Proverbs 16:3; 21:5) 

Misunderstood

To be great is to be misunderstood. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century essayist)

If you’ve been misunderstood, you’re not alone. Emerson lists some misunderstood influential people: Pythagoras, Socrates, Jesus, Luther, Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. He adds, “. . . and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh.” So, don’t let people who misunderstand you stand in the way of moving forward.

[The purpose of Solomon’s words] is . . .  to help them understand the insights of the wise . . .  to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,  to help them do what is right, just, and fair (Proverbs 1:2-3).

Attitude

Good leaders are never complainers. They’re doers. (John Maxwell, leadership author)

Has there ever been a time where there has been so much complaining? People groan about the weather, their bosses’ unfairness, their children’s coaches who don’t let them play enough—the list is unending. Rather than being judgmental and complaining, taking a positive attitude will go a long way to make life more pleasant for everyone.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you (Philippians 2:14-15).

Complainers and grumblers are people who live only to satisfy their desires (Paraphrase of Jude 1:16).

Teamwork

That which is not in the interest of the hive is not in the interest of the bee. (Marcus Aurelius, 2nd century Roman emperor)

It’s an ancient thought but what a great metaphor it is for the 21st century as well as the 2nd century. Bees and the bee hive are wonderful examples of the way teamwork was meant to be. The hundreds (thousands?) of worker bees cooperate instinctively to provide a single goal: produce honey. There’s no “I” (or “B”) in team.

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other . . . working together with one mind and purpose (Philippians 2:2).