Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – The secret to enjoying life is to count your blessings–not your birthdays. (Author unknown)

On each birthday, we think we are one year older. In fact, of course, we are only one day older on the anniversary of our birth. But, we still think in terms of years; we’re always asking children how old they are. That’s important to children wanting to grow up fast. For older folks, it’s helpful not to think so much of years but of the richness of those years.

For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. . . The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short (Proverbs 9:11; 10:27).

STOP AND THINK – The “Golden Rule” has no inches nor feet, yet it is the measure of every man. (Author unknown)

Whereas lumber labeled “2×4” is really only 1½ x 3½ in actual dimensions, life can rarely be judged by explicit measurements. The rules of life have more to do with attitudes and relationships, and they are more difficult to measure. Our conduct is judged by those intangibles, demanding careful applying of sound life principles.

Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31). Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).

STOP AND THINK – Diversions are as essential to our health and personal development as schools are to our education, or as food is to our nourishment. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

We are often so occupied in the pursuit of success that we become completely absorbed with our jobs and our progress toward achieving our goals. We don’t take any time off, enjoy an occasional vacation, or just relax for a few hours. As Swindoll suggests, however, the failure to unwind a bit may deprive us of good health and personal development.

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his (Hebrews 4:9–10).

STOP AND THINK – Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. (Plato, classical Greek philosopher)

Some of us are eager to share our thoughts even when they may not be carefully thought through. We just can’t stand silence, so when there’s a lull in the discussion, we jump right in. We need to learn to listen well, think carefully, and then offer our comments only when we’re sure they are a worthy contribution to the conversation.

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues (Proverbs 17:28). Everyone should be quick to listen [and] slow to speak (James 1:19).

STOP AND THINK – Happiness begins where selfishness ends. (John Wooden, late renowned coach)

“That’s mine.” It’s my turn.” “Me first.” Even before they can speak those words, children begin to show their selfishness by their actions and attitudes. Unfortunately, some adults have never outgrown that unpleasant trait, though they might try to hide it. The sooner we learn to share and honor others, the sooner we’ll learn to be happy.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves (Philippians 2:3).

STOP AND THINK – Man is a creature of hope and invention, both of which belie the idea that things cannot be changed. (Tom Clancy, American novelist)

Sometimes we feel as if we’re in a bind—an unpleasant situation from which there seems to be no escape. Our past experience may have taught us to think that we can’t change our circumstances—we’re trapped by unalterable conditions. But, as Clancy points out, if we act on our creative abilities, we can often find or create a way to overcome.

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

STOP AND THINK – Almost all unhappiness in life comes from the tendency to blame someone else. (Brian Tracey, personal development author and speaker)

Blaming others for our wrong doing is nothing new. It happened way back in the beginning, when the human couple blamed a serpent and each other for their disobedience to the Creator God. Taking personal responsibility for our actions is an essential step in achieving worthy goals and establishing good relationships.

God: “What is this you have done?” Eve: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:13). Contrast David: “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” (Psalm 41:4)

STOP AND THINK – Pride can’t grow in a garden of gratitude. (Bruce Barlow, pastor)

A lot has been written and said about pride, and how most people react unpleasantly to arrogance. If we fail to learn to be humble, we may learn the hard way, through humiliation, what a proper self-image should be like. How can we avoid the pride that can alienate us from society? Barlow offers a great suggestion. Thankfulness is a good antidote to pride.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).

STOP AND THINK – An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. (Maurice Maeterlinck, 19^th-20^th century Belgian playwright and essayist)

We all know that we should do good for others, but sometimes we’re wondering if it’s worth the effort. Our good deeds are not always appreciated, and quite often it costs us something—perhaps in money, or time, or effort. But Maeterlinck reminds us that “No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it.”

And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone (Titus 3:8).

STOP AND THINK – For every mountain, there is a miracle. (Robert Schuller, late TV preacher and author)

We all face mountains at one time or another—what appear to be insurmountable obstacles to progress. Early explorers had to be creative to find their way over mountains; most often it was simply determination and hard work. Life is like that, too. For every obstacle, however, there is most often a way around or through with persistence and faith.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).

STOP AND THINK – Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

The past is important not because of pleasant memories of better days but because of the lessons learned. Today is the only time we have a guarantee for, and it could be gone in a flash, so we have to live effectively in the now. Both the past and the present should prepare us for a hopeful future; that’s where faith comes in.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

STOP AND THINK – Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. (Martin Luther King Jr., 20^th century civil rights leader)

Light is an amazing phenomenon. Darkness can be dispelled by just a little light, like a match. But you can’t bring a “darkness candle” into a lighted room and dispel the light. King makes the obvious comparison to the emotions of love and hate. It’s true that hatred can replace love, but only love can eradicate hate.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs (Proverbs 10:12).