Daily Stop & Thinks

Don’t argue for your own weaknesses. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it immediately. (Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)

It must be human nature. When we show our weaknesses by making mistakes—and we all do—we make excuses. We blame circumstances, other people, or faulty equipment—anything to put the blame someplace else. Many of us have learned, however, that we get past those difficult times best when we acknowledge our errors and move on purposefully.

I do not have time to tell about [more Old Testament heroes] . . . who through faith conquered kingdoms . . . whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies (Hebrews 11:32-34).

You will not have a meaningful life without work, but you will lose yourself if you say work is the meaning of your life. (Timothy Keller, American pastor and best-selling author)

As Keller looks at both ends of the spectrum, he concludes that neither brings satisfaction. The person who dislikes work will likely lack incentive to be productive and accomplish much of value. On the other hand, the work-a-holic doesn’t have time to enjoy the finer things of life like companionship and aesthetic values. Both need a happier middle ground. 

What do workers gain from their toil? . . . There is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work (Ecclesiastes 3:9, 22)

Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers. (Voltaire, 18^th century French Enlightenment writer)

Good teachers know how to frame good questions—questions that make the student think and not simply give rote responses. So, Voltaire’s instruction is helpful. The questions a person asks shows a lot about how he or she is thinking. Before we voice an inquiry, it would be good for us to prepare it carefully to elicit a really helpful answer.

After three days they found [Jesus] in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (Luke 2:46).

Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene. (Arthur Christopher Benson, 19^th-20^th century English essayist and author)

We know better, of course, but still we often think “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,” so we want to change our location, move somewhere else. As Benson suggests, that rarely solves any problems; it often creates the same ones just someplace else. The change has to be in ourselves; meditate, pray, work for self-improvement.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God, which is why we call it the present. (Bill Keane, late American cartoonist)

It’s a play on words, of course: the present day is a gift from God. So was yesterday as tomorrow will be, too. If we spend too much time fretting about the failures of the past or worrying about tomorrow, we miss out on what’s happening today. Counting too much on the future spoils today, too. So, carpe diem, value today and fill it with purposeful effort.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

Resilience is the ability to withstand, recover, adapt and grow in the face of pressure—welcome to life. (Christine Caine, Australian international speaker)

Caine seems to be suggesting that pressure is part of normal life. It can’t always be avoided, so the question is, “How do we stand up under pressure?” How do we recover and then change to handle the pressure? How do we grow in times of trial? For inward resilience, we most often will have to rely on strength from within and help from others.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. (Psalm 28:7).

Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open. (Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone)

When opportunity’s door seems to be closing, it often brings more than just disappointment. It sometimes freezes us, so that we can’t pursue an alternative. As Bell suggests, it’s fruitless to keep sorrowing over the closed door. We must look for other possibilities—doors that will take us into new, uncharted, but fruitful enterprises.

Wisdom: “Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life” (Proverbs 8:34-35).

You miss 100% of the shots you never take. (Wayne Gretzky, professional hockey player)

Gretzky scored 1,072 goals in his professional career of more than 20 seasons. It certainly must be true that he didn’t often hesitate to take a shot at goal. It’s a challenge to Joe Average to be more aggressive in making decisions and taking actions when opportunities arise. You may miss, of course, but you certainly won’t score if you don’t take a shot.

Moses was . . . powerful in speech and action (Acts 7:22). For I know your eagerness to help, and . . .  your enthusiasm has stirred [others] to action (2 Corinthians 9:2).

It might not be because you can’t find the right answer, but because you’re asking the wrong question. (Unknown, quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, motivational speaker)

We’d like to have answers to a lot of questions we might ask. Like, “Why is this happening to me?” That’s a legitimate question, but, ultimately, only time can answer it. As John Paul Caponigro says, “It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” If we learn to ask the right questions (like “What can I learn now?”) we’ll likely get the most helpful answers.

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips (Proverbs 24:26). Let your conversation be always full of grace . . . so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6).

Don’t get upset by criticism. Value the fact that at least someone noticed what you did. (Chris Ware, American cartoonist)

No one likes to be criticized. Criticism is often very hard to take, especially when it is mean-spirited or offered out of a heart of jealousy. But legitimate criticism can be valuable in helping us evaluate our attitudes and actions. So, we should be aware of well thought-out critiques and try to learn from them, glad to be helped by the advice.

Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise (Proverbs 15:31).

The greatest danger to a free society is suppression of the free expression of ideas. (Chuck Colson, apologist and author)

This is an election year in the United States, and for what seems like an interminable time, there have been loud expressions of contrasting ideas and opinions broadcast widely and repeatedly all across the country. Will it ever end, we might ask? But, on the other hand, it is a freedom we value most highly: the right to state one’s ideas without fear of reprisal.

For you have been called unto liberty (Galatians 5:13). Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity. (H. Jackson Brown, inspirational author)

Napoleon Hill, another American author, suggests we miss some opportunities because “Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary defeat.” Is it often true that we fear misfortunes and defeats so we try to escape them? Maybe it would be better to seize the chance to make something good out of our difficult times.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16).