Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn.  (C. S. Lewis, British novelist and Christian apologist)

Life is all about learning. It’s been said that when you stop learning, you’re dead. That may not be literally true, but it does suggest the emptiness of life when there is nothing more to gain or to stimulate thought and action. Life’s lessons, as Lewis says, may be very hard, but perhaps it’s true that the harder the experience, the greater the learning. Learn well from life.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:5)

STOP AND THINK – Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory. (Albert Schweitzer, German-French medical missionary to Africa)

Schweitzer’s two criteria for happiness are true but may be incomplete. Ill health, indeed, can be a hindrance to continued happiness. And memories of an unhappy past can be a hindrance to present happiness. But, happiness is an attitude that must not be determined by the circumstances of life we can’t control. It is our choice to see what’s good and to pursue it.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness. (Ecclesiastes 7:14; 2:26)

STOP AND THINK – I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity. (John D. Rockefeller, business magnate and philanthropist)

In achieving fame and fortune as a co-founder of Standard Oil, Rockefeller must certainly have faced some difficult circumstances in his professional life. He tells us how to face such disasters: turn them into opportunities. Easier said than done, of course, but looking at our downturns in life as occasions for learning and growth will go a long way toward success.

God: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” St. Paul: “That is why . . . I delight in weaknesses . . . in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-11)

STOP AND THINK – If we can recognize that change and uncertainty are basic principles, we can greet the future  . . . with the understanding that we do not know enough to be pessimistic. (Hazel Henderson, a futurist and author)

A lot of people fear change and uncertainty, but as Henderson suggests, they are basic principles. We can’t avoid them, so we must know how to face them in order to move forward rather than be stuck where we are indefinitely. Instead of fearing the unknown future, prepare for it with a clear understanding of what we do know.

 For I am convinced that . . . neither the present nor the future, nor any . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38, 39)

STOP AND THINK – If a negative attitude is not getting us where we want to go, then why not change the attitude? Reshaping attitudes is possible. Awareness is the key initial step. (Marsha Petrie Sue, author, speaker, and motivational coach)

Sue continues, “Non-participation gives us hardening of the attitude. Life goes on, and if we do not participate, life still goes on.” In the writer’s mind, apparently, participation and attitude are related. If we are aware of life all around us, we can choose to participate, and our participation will be reflected in positive ways.

Be alert and of sober mind. (1 Peter 5:8)

STOP AND THINK – Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. (Leo Tolstoy, 19^th-20^th century Russian philosopher and writer)

It’s probably just human nature that at some point we wish we could write, say, or do something that would change the world. We see a need, and we think we could invent something to fill the need, or we could somehow inspire others to solve the problems of the world. Actually, of course, the best and only thing we can do is to change ourselves.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed [changed] by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

STOP AND THINK – He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world. (Epitaph on George Washington Carver’s grave)

Carver was born into slavery in the mid 19^th century but became a noted American botanist and inventor before his death in the mid 20^th century. His story is a prime example of one who dedicated himself to learning and enriching the lives of others. His discoveries have benefitted society in many valuable ways. Are we finding our joy in doing good for others?

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).

STOP AND THINK – A man is known by the company he keeps. (From an Aesop fable)

Aesop’s observation is a reminder of how important our relationships are. People are inclined to associate with others of similar backgrounds and interests. That can be either good or bad. In political campaigns, candidates are often judged unsuitable on the basis of their past associations. In all of life, we need to choose our friends carefully.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

STOP AND THINK – My father always said, “Never trust anyone whose TV is bigger than their bookshelf.” (Emilia Clarke, British actress)

That’s probably an accurate, but sad, commentary on modern society. The joy of reading books, even though available in a variety of electronic devices, is fading. It’s too easy to watch the story on a wide screen. We can learn visually, of course, but when we do, we miss the nuances conveyed by a clever use of the written word.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

STOP AND THINK – The walls of hospitals have heard more prayers than the walls of churches. (Anonymous)

That’s a sad commentary on the level of spiritual life, isn’t it? People are inclined to look to God when life is threatened. During war they speak of “foxhole confessions,” when soldiers promise to serve God if He will just let them live. Is that all God is to us? A life preserver? An emergency first-aid kit? We would do better to seek God while we can.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

STOP AND THINK – Work begins when the fear of doing nothing at all finally trumps the terror of doing it badly. (Alain de Botton, Swiss-British writer and TV presenter)

Some people procrastinate simply because they are fearful of not being able to do their work well. The fear of failure stymies them, and they are unable to do the job. Sometimes, however, they awaken to the fact that if they don’t at least start, nothing at all will happen. Doing nothing may be worse than doing something poorly. Are your fears stopping you?

You should mind your own business and work with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11). All hard work brings a profit (Proverbs 14:23).

STOP AND THINK – The best understanding of your equipment comes from using it. (Ken Duncan, (Australian professional photographer)

Duncan was speaking of photographic equipment. But the simple statement has many appropriate applications. A mountain climber must understand how to use his hiking equipment. A carpenter has been trained in the proper use of his tools. Living successfully requires knowing how to use the abilities God has given us.

All Scripture . . . is useful for teaching . . . and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)