Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Nothing repels like a frown—or attracts like a smile. (Charles Swindoll, preacher and author)

It’s a simple statement but one which can be verified by almost everyone’s personal experience. When someone begins to frown while you are speaking to them, you begin to wonder what’s wrong with what you said or how you said it. When they smile, however, you feel like you are communicating well with a friend. It’s heart-warming.

When I smiled at them . . . the light of my face was precious to them (Job 29:24).

STOP AND THINK – Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed. (Storm Jameson, 20th century English journalist and author)

Note Jameson’s five requirements to be happy: feeling, enjoyment, reasoning, risk, and being needed. Perhaps the most important component is to be needed. When you can serve someone else, it not only helps them, but it also gives you a sense of joyful accomplishment.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them (Hebrews 6:10).

STOP AND THINK – This is the true joy in life—being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. (George Bernard Shaw, late Nobel-Prize-winning Irish playwright)


Shaw continues: “. . . being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap.” No doubt, all of us would like to be involved in something we consider to be a “mighty” purpose.


If it is recognized by others as a worthy objective, all the better. The real issue, of course, is whether the project will have lasting value for others in the community.
It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good (Galatians 4:18).

STOP AND THINK – It’s not a case of magic. It’s a simple fact. What I see, and hear, and speak, I become. (Gordon & Gladis DePree in The Gift)


What we are physically is a combination of our DNA, the food we consume, our exercise, and other purely material elements. But what we are internally (the real us), as the DePrees suggest, is the result of what we take in mentally and emotionally. That fact emphasizes the importance of what we allow our minds to feed upon.


Whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body. But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. (Matthew 15:16-18)

STOP NAD THINK – The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one. (Marianne Williamson, author and lecturer)


That’s Williamson’s conclusion after writing, “Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us.” While we often long to see change in our society, we too often expect the changes to come from some organization or government. In reality, of course, change always begins with individuals—with you or me.


[The Good News] that came to you . . . changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace (Colossians 1:6).

STOP AND THINK – It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. (Robert Goddard, “the father of modern rocketry.”)

Whether it’s in the science laboratory, the inventor’s workroom, or in ordinary life situations, sometimes what we are working for seems to be impossible. That’s when it’s good to recognize that almost everything we enjoy today is the result of someone’s chasing a dream until it became a reality. So, work hard and keep pursuing your dream.

We remember . . . your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

STOP AND THINK – [There’s a] risk . . . if you change: that people you’ve been involved with won’t like the new you. But other people who do will come along. (Lisa Alther, American novelist)

Maybe you’ve had the experience Alther alludes to. You’ve made a significant change in your lifestyle or your perspective on life, and some of your friends have responded negatively to your change. Perhaps, on the other hand, you’ve found others who are content with the change. In any case, be sincere, persistent in rightful change.

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly . . . then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors forever and ever (Jeremiah 7:5, 7).

STOP AND THINK – It ain’t no use to grumble and complain; it’s just as easy to rejoice. (James Whitcomb Riley, “the Children’s Poet”)

Riley illustrates this principle: “When God sorts out the weather and sends rain, why rain’s my choice.” If we all were to follow his counsel, life would certainly be different, wouldn’t it? Or, at least our attitudes would be different. Accepting what we can’t control is a way to contentment and satisfaction.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12).

STOP AND THINK – The love of one’s country is a natural thing. But why should love stop at the border? (Inspiration Line)

People seem naturally to be patriotic; they are usually proud of their nationality and supportive of their country. When you watch Olympic competition, you see demonstrations of such loyalty and pride—not only in the athletes but in their fans. Loving one’s country is one thing, but our love for people should extend beyond national boundaries to all peoples.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).

STOP AND THINK – We cannot pass our guardian angel’s bounds — resigned or sullen, he will hear our sighs. (Augustine, early Christian theologian and philosopher)

There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about angels, but many people are confident that guardian angels do protect them and, perhaps, give them strength and encouragement in times of difficulty. In any case, the Bible is clear that angels are the messengers of God, serving us on His behalf.

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)

STOP AND THINK – Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. (The Dalai Lama, Buddhist religious leader)

Many powerful political, business, or social leaders seem to have a rather brusque exterior. They are so focused on efficiency and effectiveness that they may not reflect the gentler side of human nature. But to be truly effective and well-remembered, leaders must recognize the lasting value of concern for others and care for their followers.

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).

STOP AND THINK – The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. (Chinese proverb)

We can easily accept the first part of this proverb. We know that polishing requires rubbing the surface of the object to bring out its best appearance. The second part of the metaphor, though true, is much harder to accept. No one likes pain whether physical, emotional, or mental. But, it’s learning through difficulties that helps us to grow and mature.

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)