Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – The first to apology is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest. (Author unknown)

If we would follow this oft-quoted maxim, we’d no doubt keep our friendships. But someone has changed the last clause to “The first to learn from it and move on is the happiest.” And that’s good advice in itself. To apologize and to forgive are both essential. But we must also move on and not carry the memories of those injuries into our future.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone (Colossians 3:13).

STOP AND THINK – Ye great teachers: listen to what you say! (Goethe, 18 and 19^th century German statesman)

Ever heard a teacher who just kept droning on, boring his audience, and seeming to push out words and ideas without thinking about what he’s saying. Or, perhaps, you’ve heard someone who is really saying something worthwhile, but who doesn’t live up to his own teaching. In both cases, we may want to shout, “Wake up, listen to what you’re saying.”

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11).

STOP AND THINK – Worry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind, which, if encouraged, will cut a channel so wide that all other thoughts will be drained out. (Author Unknown)

Most of us worry at one time or another; some situation causes us to be anxious because we don’t know what the outcome might be. But there are some people who seem to worry about everything. What may begin as a small concern can so easily develop into an all-consuming frame of mind if we let it, so face the anxiety head-on.

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

STOP AND THINK – What goes into a mind comes out in a life. (Frequently read but author unknown)

A mind saturated with unhealthy thoughts and ideas will manifest itself in unpleasant ways. The acrostic GIGO (“garbage in, garbage out”) is used to describe the results of entering poor data into the computer and expecting something better to come out. In life, we must be careful to enter good thoughts and ideas into our minds to guarantee our good behavior.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

STOP AND THINK – Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow up. (Tryon Edwards, 19^th century American theologian)

Edwards continued: “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming  WOO HOO, what a ride!” (For another perspective, consider the Bible verse.)

[The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green (Psalm 91:14).

STOP AND THINK – [The creative individual] is capable of questioning the assumptions that the rest of us accept. (John W. Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare)

Gardner also says, “[He] has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught.” He is arguing that most of us are not as creative as we might be so we give in to the influences or our society and culture. Can that be true? If so, we need to exercise our ability to think for ourselves and the willpower to strike out on our own.

Do not lie to each other

STOP AND THINK – The reprover should have a lion’s stout heart, or he will not be faithful, and a lady’s soft hand, or he is not likely to be successful. (George Swinnock, 17^th century Puritan preacher)

To criticize or correct someone is always a difficult and delicate task. As Swinnock suggests, it takes a courageous person to approach a friend and offer a bit of advice. It also requires someone with a sensitive spirit so that he or she addresses the friend in a gracious manner with a caring attitude of concern. Such an approach will bless and strengthen the friend.

A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17) [and always is] speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

STOP AND THINK – If you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others. (Sydney J. Harris, 20^th century newspaper journalist)

We admire people who are self-assured and confident. They seem to be perfectly comfortable with who they are; they don’t want to be somebody else. There are others who always seem to be wishing they were like someone else; they lack self-confidence and assurance. But, when we discover a fulfilling purpose for our lives, we will be content with who we are.

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

STOP AND THINK – The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. (Martin Luther King, Jr, civil rights leader)

We often admire people who succeed whether it’s in sports, entertainment, politics, or business. How comfortable they seem to be in their accomplishments. But, anyone will probably look good when he’s on top. As King suggests, the real test of character is how you react when things don’t go well, when you are confronted and challenged.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). . . . Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:3).

STOP AND THINK – Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive. (Elisabeth Elliot, late widow of a missionary martyr)

The uncertainty and pain of problems on the job, at school, or in the family may bring on anxiety and constant worry. How will things work out, will this stress ever go away? Elliot implies that trust may be the way out. Putting your faith in something beyond yourself instead of trusting in your own abilities can relieve stress and worry.

Those who trust in themselves are fools (Proverbs 28:26). Cast all your anxiety on him [Jesus] because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

STOP AND THINK – I personally believe we were put here to build not destroy. (Red Skelton, late comedian and TV entertainer)

Skelton was probably not recognized as a theologian or philosopher, but he did seem to have an innate understanding of people and human nature. Through humor and slapstick comedy he found his intended place in life. Although he made fun of life’s foibles, he never put people down, hoping rather to build them up and encourage them. A good goal!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

STOP AND THINK – I personally believe we were put here to build not destroy. (Red Skelton, late comedian and TV entertainer)

Skelton was probably not recognized as a theologian or philosopher, but he did seem to have an innate understanding of people and human nature. Through humor and slapstick comedy he found his intended place in life. Although he made fun of life’s foibles, he never put people down, hoping rather to build them up and encourage them. A good goal!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).