Daily Stop & Thinks

Any time we bury a hurt alive, it will keep rising from the dead to haunt us. (Renee Swope, Christian author)


Sometimes when we’ve been hurt deeply, we intentionally avoid any attempt to resolve the conflict that created the wound. Instead, we bury it, thinking that we can move on without any consequence. Most of us have found, however, that that doesn’t work. As Swope suggests, the hurt keeps popping up its ugly head. We would do well to seek reconciliation.


If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there [at] the altar. First go and be reconciled to them (Matthew 5:23-25).

People tend to forget their duties but remember their rights. (Indira Ghandi, former prime minister of India)

Ghandi’s comment certainly seems to be true in 21st century America. We believe deeply in individual freedoms and guaranteed “inalienable rights,” so, as free citizens, we are often inclined to emphasize our rights and overlook our responsibilities. It’s part of our selfish human nature, no doubt, but for the good of community, we must think of others, too.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4).

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. (Molière, 17th century playwright and actor)

It’s exciting to win at any contest. But when an “underdog” team defeats a highly favored opponent, it is even more exhilarating. The fans of the winning team will likely flood the court, and the players will be praised and exalted beyond reason. Such prospect of winning is a great motivation for tackling even the most difficult problems.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

One must not tie a ship to a single anchor, nor life to a single hope. (Epictetus, 1st century Stoic philosopher)

Boatmen will understand the philosopher’s reference to the value of multiple anchors. The rest of us might wrestle with applying the metaphor. It surely would be a grave mistake to tie to a single hope, if that hope is misplaced and untrustworthy. But the Bible presents a single hope that holds promise for life and beyond.

The blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12-14). We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19).

Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul. (Marcus Aurelius, 2nd century Roman emperor)

In the hectic lifestyle of modern western society it’s often difficult to find a place of solitude. Yet, getting away by oneself, apart from the demands of everyday life, is so important to physical and mental health. But in those quiet times alone, we would do well to disengage from temporal concerns and meditate upon the spiritual values of life.

Blessed is the one . . . whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (Psalm 1:1-2; 119:97).

Fears of what might happen in the future rob us of the joy of now. We miss out. (Jennifer Studio)

Many people seem to be afraid of life. They are often second-guessing themselves: “what if I had …?” The quote above also pondered, “How easily the what ifs can make us miss out on wonderful things in life.” The worries and fear of the unknown cannot be settled by second-guessing. Finding faith and trusting in God will ease the concerns of the future.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27). Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever (Psalm 125:1).

With greater freedom comes greater responsibility. (Victor Hugo, 19th century French author and dramatist)

Some seem to think that freedom means they can do whatever they want to do without any restriction. That view overlooks the accountability that comes with liberty. As children grow, parents try to instill in them a sense of duty that comes with more independence. Freedom gives us the opportunity to be productive, responsible human beings.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48)

Love is measured by what we do, not in the results we see. (Florent Varak, French pastor and author)

The same thing could be said about success, but we most often judge success by the results of an effort. Is a sports team successful if it loses a game? As the old cliché puts it, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” So, whether it’s love or success, we should judge the quality of the effort and process not just the result.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night . . . Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).

In some practical way, some daily way, [we have to] figure out how to see people differently from the way we were brought up to. (A Paraphrase of Alice Walker, American author and activist)

Walker prefaced this quote with “I think we have to own the fear we have of each other …” Her counsel is wise. We need to rid ourselves of the fear of others, reject the prejudices we may have had, and learn to see people for who they really are. That, no doubt, will require changes in the way we think and act in everyday life. Learn to respect and love others.

Show proper respect to everyone (1 Peter 2:17).

If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember this whole thing was started by a mouse. (Walt Disney, entrepreneur and creator of Disney World)

That’s a very positive outlook on life, isn’t it? It surely would be an encouragement to someone who has a vision and the means to accomplish it. The dreamer must have resources, however, to achieve his vision: money, materials, connections, and much more, no doubt. The challenge to the visionary is to persevere and pursue his dream.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

Worry is a cycle of inefficient thought, centered on a fear. (Quoted by Corrie ten Boom, Holocaust survivor)

People worry about a lot of different things: money, romance, politics, crime—the list is endless. We all know, of course, that worrying doesn’t solve problems. As ten Boom says, it is a very inefficient method for solving problems. We must learn to face our fears, work out a plan to address the problem, seek counsel, perhaps, and be courageous in facing life.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? . . . Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:27, 34).