Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – When you can’t mind your own business, be sure to mind your tongue. (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

We all know that we should mind our own business, but sometimes that’s hard to do. We think that our opinion or judgment is needed, so we offer it in spite of fearing we shouldn’t get involved. Brown’s reminder, however, ought to make us think twice before we offer opinions that aren’t asked for. Doing so might save us from a lot of embarrassment.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

STOP AND THINK – Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. (John Wooden, renowned basketball coach)

Wooden was known not only for his skills as a basketball player and coach, but also for his teaching skills with his players. In any sport, there are times when the play is not going well. You can’t always go back and start over again, so you have to deal with the current situation. Those who succeed are the ones who work hard with whatever confronts them.

All hard work brings a profit (Proverbs 14:23). 

STOP AND THINK – The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision. (Helen Keller, noted speaker and author)

No doubt, Keller had met people who, though sighted, seemed not to have any vision. She may have been thinking about people who are unaware of their advantages and opportunities. Or, perhaps she was thinking of some who live for the present with no thought of the future. In either case, their lack of vision will most likely thwart any worthy achievements.

Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion (Proverbs 3:21).

STOP AND THINK – If you aren’t falling now and then, you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough. (Ski instructor)

Nobody really wants to fall, do they? An eager beginning skier certainly realizes he might fall, but that doesn’t stop him from trying. Just as we learned to walk by getting up, taking a step, falling, and then starting over again—so most of life is like that. We learn by error, and the fear of making a mistake must not keep us from trying again and moving forward.

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

STOP AND THINK – The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices. (Frederick II, the Great, 18^th century Prussian king)

We should always be on a search for truth. When we discover a reality we had not known before, it is both pleasing and beneficial. The same is true for doing away with long-held ideas that are not true. Life is most satisfying when we rid ourselves of unhealthy biases and latch on to truths that can increase learning and usefulness.

Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well (Proverbs 23:23).

STOP AND THINK – Frankly, most of the things in life are not as important as we think they are. (Robert J Foster, author)

Whatever is of the moment usually is the most important thing to us. And, of course, what is happening in the present is important. But, we should not be so concerned about the immediate that we neglect planning and preparing for the future. Later on, today’s “important” situation may be forgotten in the press of what has yet to occur.

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber . . . The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12).

STOP AND THINK – Truth without love is brutality. Love without truth is hypocrisy. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

“The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” That’s what we affirm we will speak when we testify in court. And the truth sometimes hurts. Maybe we should reserve the truth only for those who have the need and right to hear it. Even then, we must present it in a way that’s helpful and not harmful. We should always speak the truth in love.

Love is patient, love is kind 1 Corinthians 13:4. Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth 1 John 3:18.

STOP AND THINK – Patience can be a difficult discipline but when we learn to be still, blessings come our way. (Author unknown)

Someone has said that patience is a virtue possessed by few. Why is it so difficult to be patient? Undoubtedly, we have been impacted by a society where everything is rush-rush. Immediate gratification is the goal, and very few take the time to just sit and think. But, if we try to pause and meditate, good things often come to mind that lead to great achievements.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7). Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).

STOP AND THINK – “Frodo, we don’t get to choose the time we live in but we do get to choose how to spend the time we are given.” (A line from a story by JR Tolkein, British Christian apologist)

Lewis’s statement is simple and easily understood. We don’t choose when or where we are born or who our family will be. The question, then, is how shall we respond to the time, place, and people in our lives? Those responses will determine not only how we enjoy life and relationships but what benefit we may bring to our community.

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).

STOP AND THINK – What others think is right, they think is right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too. (J. C. Ryle, 19^th century Anglican bishop)

In listing “Dangers for Young Men,” Ryle included “Fear of Man’s Opinion.” He wrote, “It is terrible to observe the power which the fear of man has over most minds.” Do we ever nod in agreement with someone’s idea, or fail to express a contrary opinion, when we really believe they are wrong? We must speak up against what’s wrong and for what’s right.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist (Ephesians 6:14).

STOP AND THINK – Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. (Author unknown)

In modern America we emphasize individuality and personal freedom. As important as those values are, they sometimes make us think and act without regard to others and their hopes and dreams. We must learn to make our choices, not on the basis exclusively of what will benefit us, but on the essential values of family and community.

In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4).

STOP AND THINK – Logical thinking will discourage you; theological thinking will encourage you. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

Swindoll’s first statement seems illogical itself, doesn’t it? You would think that thinking logically would always be the smart thing to do. But his point is that people need to look at life, not just from the human perspective, but from God’s. A right understanding of God’s plan and purpose will enable you to think properly about life and living.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).