Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Love is the difficult realization that something other than oneself is real. (Iris Murdoch, Irish-born British author and philosopher)

It takes awhile for a child to realize that he or she is not the only reality in life. We are all born with a self-centered nature and think that everything revolves around us. When a child begins to understand that there are other people out there (e.g. mother and father), then he, as Murdoch suggests, can discover love and understand that he is not all that is real.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10).

STOP AND THINK – You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you. (Brian Tracy, Canadian author on personal and business success)

This is not a new idea, but it is certainly important for all of us to understand and apply. A lot may happen to you in life that you don’t like and can’t control. Trying to take control often doesn’t work for you. But if you can control your attitude, Tracy says, “You will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”

You were taught . . . to put off your old self . . .  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God (Ephesians 4:22-24)

STOP AND THINK – Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain. (Author Unknown)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “Into each life some rain must fall.” Sometimes, instead of a gentle rain, it comes as a storm, creating trouble. Then it’s a temptation just to wait out the storm; stopping life to wait for better weather. But, would we withstand the storms better if we could learn to move forward joyously instead of wasting time waiting?

There is a time for everything . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance … (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

STOP AND THINK – The path to our destination is not always a straight one. (Barbara Hall, American writer and producer)

The expression “as the crow flies” indicates the shortest distance between two points, which we may not be able to follow because of the terrain below the bird’s flight. We may encounter many turns and twists, hills and valleys as we travel to our destination. That’s a parable of life, too. We often have to overcome obstacles to reach our objective.

Not that I have already . . . arrived at my goal, but I press on (Philippians 3:12).

STOP AND THINK – Thoughts are like roads; you never know where they will lead you. (Robert Schuller, late television pastor and author)

Sometimes taking an unknown road may lead to a new adventure, almost certainly to a new location. Traveling the unmarked road may result in the discovering of some exciting and rewarding place. As Schuller suggests, thoughts can be like that, too. Let your mind wander a bit, pursuing a new idea wherever it may take you. Perhaps you’ll gain new and helpful truth.

Whatever is true … noble … right … pure … lovely …  admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

STOP AND THINK – Security is mostly a superstition. (Helen Keller, lecturer and author)

Many people are looking for security, whether it is in their investments, their jobs, or their homes. In spite of her many handicaps, Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” We should approach life with courage, less concerned about our well being and more concerned about developing good character than feeling secure.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely (Proverbs 10:9).

STOP AND THINK – One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. (Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani, youngest to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize)

With all of the troubles in the world—hunger, poverty, illiteracy, illness, war—we may think that the issues are just too big. There’s nothing we can do about the millions who are suffering these various problems. But this young Pakistani woman has noted that solutions may have to begin with single steps, helping one person or need at a time as we can.

And we urge you . . . encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

STOP AND THINK – To live without deadlines is to live an inefficient, unorganized life, drifting with the breeze of impulse on the fickle wave of moods. (Charles Swindoll, minister and author)

Some people work easily with deadlines. Others of us prefer a freer lifestyle without deadlines. Swindoll points out their value, however: “We set deadlines because they help us accomplish the essentials—they disciple our use of time.” If we are to give account of how we used time, it would be wise to keep the end in sight.

For lack of discipline [the wicked] will die, led astray by their own great folly (Proverbs 5:23).

STOP AND THINK – You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love. (Henry Drummond, 19^th century Scottish writer and lecturer)

People are moved into action by a variety of motives. Sometimes, those reasons are purely selfish; others may be for good purposes but are pursued more for self-aggrandizement than anything else. As Drummond suggests, however, accomplishments of any lasting value are those that were intended for the best interest of others. That’s what love is about.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord (Proverbs 16:2).

STOP AND THINK – Passion is like an artesian well—when tapped, it brings life and energy to even the most barren desert. (Ken Duncan, Australian professional photographer)

Some people go through life in a sort of humdrum fashion. They take things as they come; they do their daily chores, mostly without complaining. But there doesn’t seem much that captures their imagination. They rarely get excited about anything. As Duncan says, when you become passionate about your activity, it energizes you and brings excitement to life.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).

STOP AND THINK – Everything should be made as simple as possible but not simpler. (Albert Einstein, noted scientist)

That’s quite a statement from one of the most brilliant minds of the 20^th century. Only a few intellectuals could understand many of his theories and formulas. Yet, this quotation is striking. If the complicated can be made simple enough for most of us to comprehend, a lot is to be gained. On the other hand, to oversimplify is to inhibit study and learning.

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).

STOP AND THINK – I’ve always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing. (Katherine Mansfield, pen name of Katherine Murry, fiction writer)

Real friends are trustworthy, respecting each other’s privacy and supporting them in every way possible. Outsiders may want to know why and how, but true friends don’t demand or expect an explanation. Friends patiently wait until compatriots are ready to talk; but, even then, talk is not necessary. The loyalty of friends is invaluable and supportive.

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy (Proverbs 12:22).