Daily Stop & Thinks

There is . . . no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself. (Henry David Thoreau, 19^th century poet, author, philosopher)

When we look to things, activities, or other people as sources for happiness, we are launched on a failed mission. It is true that other things or people can give us a temporary emotional lift, but to sustain it, we have to have more activity, more things, or friends who never fail and are always there for us. Better to look within ourselves for inner strength.

Jesus: “I am coming to you now . . . so that [you]may have the full measure of my joy within. (John 17:13).

What we do for the human soul is incomparably more important than what we do for the transient things of this world (Chuck Colson, prison reformer, Christian apologist)

The old adage is true that “all that glitters is not gold,” meaning that not every attractive element has great value. Yet, many people are working hard to achieve more “glittering” things. Malcolm Forbes claimed that the person who dies with the most toys wins. But, as Colson suggests, what we do for people is an achievement of the greatest value.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). No one should seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24).

Happiness consists not in having, but of being, not of possessing, but of enjoying. It is the warm glow of a heart at peace with itself. (Norman Vincent Peale, late preacher and author)

In modern society people seem to be pursuing happiness by accumulating more “stuff.” Full garages and overflowing storage bins testify to that fruitless search. But, as Peale suggests, happiness is really a state of being, not owning. To find peace within yourself, however, you would do well to look to the Creator who made you to have joy in a relationship with Him.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him (Romans 15:13).

STOP AND THINK – Anyone can steer the ship but it takes a leader to chart the course.  (John Maxwell, leadership speaker and author)

Maxwell calls this “The Law of Navigation. The functions of “steering” and “leading” are similar but quite different. Give the helm to a seaman with clear instructions as to where he is to go, and he can probably bring the ship to its destination. But someone has to chart the course, to map the route (for landlubbers). And the charting is done by a qualified leader.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (Psalm 73:24).

STOP AND THINK – No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else’s draft. (H. G. Wells, 19^th & 20^th century English writer)

That’s the curse of being a writer or editor. You just can’t look at written text (or listen to a speech) without recognizing grammatical errors or thinking of better ways to express a thought. When that becomes your everyday habit, it’s difficult to read or hear people speak without criticizing. How much better to “hear” the intended message without critiquing it!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up (Romans 15:2).

STOP AND THINK – I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. (Martha Washington, wife of the first U.S. president)

We’re often inclined to blame circumstances for our unhappiness. It’s “the hand we’ve been dealt,” we say, that has ruined our day. Our first First Lady was not likely trained in psychology, but she was wise in her observation. Our disposition—or attitude—is the one thing we can control; doing so will help us avoid common misery.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful (Proverbs 15:13).

STOP AND THINK – To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

When we think of freedom, we’re often thinking of it as a personal right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In other words, we’re proud and pleased that we have personal freedom from bondage. Mandela, having suffered imprisonment for his political views, understood that we must be equally considered that all citizens can enjoy freedom.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1).

STOP AND THINK – You know you have a problem with pride when you cannot rejoice in someone else’s promotion. (Tiberius Rata, seminary professor)

How do you respond when you hear of someone’s advancement in his profession? What if it’s a fellow staff person? Are you happy for him or her? Do you congratulate them and wish them well? Or, are you a bit envious, hurt, perhaps, because you didn’t receive a similar promotion? Pride sometimes prevents us from enjoying the success of others.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).

STOP AND THINK – When feelings become more important than faith, people will become more important, and God will become less important. (Edward T. Welch, theologian, author)

Society more and more seems to live by feelings. “If it feels good, do it,” some would say. But feelings are fleeting. Sometimes, it’s almost day-by-day. Other times, our emotions change because of growth, new relationships, or special events. Author Jerry Bridges’ counsel is wise, “Our emotions must become subservient to the truth.”

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18).

STOP AND THINK – Great minds discuss about ideas; Average minds discuss about events; Small minds talk about people. (Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Roosevelt, 32^nd president of the USA)

When a group of people get together, the conversation might be about sports, entertainment, health, or politics. Eventually, it usually devolves into discussions about people or events. Roosevelt’s observation is a challenge to think more deeply, discuss the great ideas that have influenced society. That will be a rich, rewarding enlightenment for all.

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children  . . . but in your thinking be adults (1 Corinthians 14:20).

STOP AND THINK – The best training is in service rather than for service. (Paraphrase of Tom Julien, author)

Whether it’s a regular or technical school, we expect the graduates to be adequately trained for their work. Experience demonstrates, however, that the best learning is on-the-job- training. Julien adds, “Training that is disassociated with service can easily become [merely] theory.” Effective learning is closely tied both to the mind and the hand.

[Leaders in the church are] to equip [God’s] people for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-12 paraphrased).

STOP AND THINK – Generosity is not about money; it’s about attitude. (Author unknown)

We usually think that to be generous you have to have a lot of money. Someone has said that generosity is the attitude of true wealth, but it may not just be money he was thinking of. Time and skills can be shared generously, too. Often, it’s the less wealthy who are generous. If we determine to share what we have, our generosity will be a blessing to many.

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).