Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Happiness is always an inside job. (Author unknown)

One definition of happiness is “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” That sounds like it is the result of some external event that makes you happy. Another: “a state of well-being and contentment.” That seems to emphasize an internal condition, the result, not so much of what happens to us, but of the settled attitude of joy that characterizes the person who is content.

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

STOP AND THINK – [Contrary to] people-pleasers, only people-lovers are able to confront. (Edward T. Welch, author)

Some folks seem to live their lives in an attempt to please everybody—never offend anyone and certainly don’t confront them in any way. Yet, Welch seems to suggest that those who really love people are willing to face up to their friends, addressing error or faults that need to be corrected. Refusing to do so reveals a lack of love and concern for others.

If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. (Galatians 6:1)

STOP AND THINK – By grasping onto what we currently have  . . . we lose out on better goods that we might have gained. (Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson, University researchers)

The authors continue: “Giving money, volunteering . . . being a generous neighbor and friend . . . are all significantly, positively correlated with greater personal happiness, physical health [and] a stronger sense of purpose.” When we learn to give our time and money generously to others, we find the “better goods” of personal joy and satisfaction.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

STOP AND THINK – Minds are like parachutes—they only function when open. (Sir James Dewar, 19^th-20^th century Scottish chemist and physicist)

Our minds are wonderful things. They are really the “heart” of everything—how we relate to the world, how we learn, what we choose, and much more. So, it’s a terrible thing when we close our minds, unwilling to try something new or to think about an issue from a different perspective. An open mind is the avenue for learning and growth.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

STOP AND THINK – People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they are not on your road does not mean they have gotten lost. (H. Jackson Brown, best-selling author)

Different people have different backgrounds and interests, so it makes sense that we don’t all travel the same pathways. We go the way we find to be comfortable—that fits with our heritage and education. So, learn to appreciate the differences that exist. Most importantly, we must search for that one right way that leads to God.

Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction . . . But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

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 ruler)

Could it be said that if we are not learning we are not living? From infancy to adulthood, life is one long learning experience. And it’s a great joy to experience new truth, to discover new ideas. And, in the process of learning, we will very likely discover that some of the preconceived ideas we’ve held were wrong. The result is growth, maturity, and pleasure.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. … Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 9:9)

STOP AND THINK- Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. (Oprah Winfrey, TV talk show host)

How much is enough? Modern appetites—whether it be for food, fame, or riches—never seem to be satisfied. Instead of being grateful for what we have (and most of us have more than enough), we always seem to want more. As Winfrey suggests, we’d do better to “concentrate on what [we] have.” That should produce a sense of gratitude and satisfaction.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income (Ecclesiastes 5:10). When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you (Deuteronomy 8:10).

STOP AND THINK – Nature always takes her time. Great oaks don’t become great overnight. They also lose a lot of leaves, branches and bark in the process of becoming great. (Andrew Matthews, best-selling author)

We all knew that it takes a long time for an acorn to become a mature oak tree. But we probably hadn’t thought about all that happened during those many years of growth. The analogy to human life is insightful. As we grow, we encounter all kinds of experiences, some of which involve losses. Learning from them is an important part of maturing.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)

STOP AND THINK – True greatness does not come from my position in life; it comes from humility and service. (Tim Wright, youth pastor and men’s leader)

We call them “snobs”—people who look down on everyone else because of the position or rank they hold. Such people seldom develop a following or become leaders of stature. It’s counter-intuitive, but leaders who achieve the most are those who work with people with a great sense of humility and the desire to lead by serving.

Whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:27-28)

If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking? (Thomas á Kempis, Medieval German canon)

It seems to be true that we expect others to live up to our personally established standards, when we most often are unable to live up to those same criteria ourselves. Our expectations of others are higher than what we demand of ourselves. It’s the old “Do as I say, not as I do” fallacy. Set the standard high, live up to it, and be careful not to judge others.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)

STOP AND THINK – Man is always inclined to be intolerant towards the thing, or person, he hasn’t taken the time adequately to understand. (Robert R. Brown, financier and author)

Why is there so much intolerance in modern society? Why are so many people biased about certain groups or organizations? Could Brown be right? Are our prejudices the result of ignorance? If Brown is right, we could do a lot to overcome the injustices of intolerance by learning more about those we don’t understand. It is certainly worth the effort.

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. (Leviticus 19:15)

STOP AND THINK – If I need to change or improve my behavior (and who doesn’t) I shouldn’t need the artificial date of January 1 to inspire me to action. (Alan Terwilleger, former Colson Center president)

New Years’ resolutions are usually simple confessions that we haven’t been or done all we could have in the past year, and that we’d like to do better this year. As Terwilleger suggests, however, the change of the calendar is not sufficient motivation to improve. It will take an act of our will—in fact, a daily choice to work at doing what we know we should to improve.

Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)