Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

STOP AND THINK – Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought. (Albert van Szent-Cyörgy, Hungarian Nobel prize-winning physiologist)

We may think that the people who make the great discoveries in this world are those who see things differently. In a sense that’s probably true, like it is for artists who have an eye that differentiates visual objects in ways most of us can’t. There are others who don’t see differently from us, but they think differently. That’s a creative spark to be envied.

Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it? (Ecclesiastes 7:24)

STOP AND THINK – You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. (C. S. Lewis, 20^th century British apologist and author)

We’re told that today Americans aged 20 to 54 spend only 11 minutes a day reading for leisure—not including computer use. It would take a long time, then, to read a single book, no matter its length. Whether it’s hard copy, digital, or online, we need to re-discover the joy of reading. The learning and inspiration of good reading cannot help but improve our lives.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13).

STOP AND THINK – Keep a wide gulf between yourself and your possessions. It will spare you many heartaches. (Herbert Vander Lugt, author and Bible commentator)

Some people seem to live for their stuff—the more they have, the happier they think they’ll be. Think of the hoarders you see on television. Possessions—no matter what their inherent value—have overtaken their homes, even their lives, it seems. Whether we hoard or not, let’s recognize that we are more than what we own. Use what you have, but don’t live for it.

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:11).