Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – All cases are unique, and very similar to others. (T. S. Eliot, playwright and poet)

Sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn’t it? It’s true that virtually every circumstance in life is unique to your own personal experience. But, it’s also true that “There’s nothing new under the sun.” So, when you feel like you’re alone and no one else can appreciate what you’re going through, stop to consider that others have had similar experiences and survived.

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

STOP AND THINK – Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. (Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the independence movement in India)

Gandhi was thinking of freedom in a political context, but the principle holds true in a more personal way, too. Unless we allow people to make mistakes (e.g. our children, novices learning a new job, rookie athletes), we will hinder their opportunity to learn and to grow in new endeavors. Excellence is to be desired, but perfection cannot be required.

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

STOP AND THINK – Resolve to keep happy and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. (Helen Keller, American author and lecturer)

To consider such words from a woman, who could not see or hear, is a challenge to us who are not so tested. To Keller, happiness is not the result of health and physical well-being; rather it is an attitude that can be developed by any of us. And such an attitude, as she suggests, is itself a defense against the problems that life may bring our way.

To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

STOP AND THINK – Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all. (St. Augustine, 4^th & 5^th century Christian theologian)

Almost everyone has lost something or someone he or she held dear—a favorite toy, a pet, a beloved person. We cherish the memory of those lost things. But, if you’ve never experienced that kind of loss, you’ve probably never experienced that kind of love either. God created love in us to reflect Him and to enjoy relationships at their very best.

What a person desires is unfailing love. … Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor. (Proverbs 19:22; Proverbs 21:21)

STOP AND THINK – Envy = sadness on account of the goods possessed by another. (Thomas Aquinas, 13^th century Dominican priest)

It seems to be part of our human nature. We’re never satisfied with what we have; it’s never quite enough or it’s not exactly like what we want. What’s worse, we sometimes look at what others have and long for those things. Rather than being happy for the well-being of others and learning to be content with what we have, we become jealous, eaten by envy.

Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). 

STOP AND THINK – On the path to success, you will notice that the successful ones are not whiners, nor do they complain often. (Jack Ma, Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist)

Ma goes on to say, “If you complain or whine once in a while, it is not a big deal. However, if it becomes habitual, it will be similar to drinking: the more you drink, the stronger the thirst.” Haven’t you noticed that there are some people who are always complaining? We would do well to avoid getting into that habit. It will destroy us and alienate our friends.

I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile. (Job 9:27)

STOP AND THINK – We must be willing to fail and to appreciate the truth that often “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.” (M. Scott Peck, late psychiatrist and author, quoting Friedrich Nietsche, 29^th century philosopher)

These two principles are significant: 1) Failing is okay; in fact, we probably learn and grow more as a result of our failures than our successes. 2) Life is a mystery. When we look at our life as something to explore and enjoy, even through the unknown, we will discover purpose and achievement worthy of giving our best effort.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11)

STOP AND THINK – People will remember how you treat others far longer than they will remember what you accomplished. (Dan O’Deens, compassion director and author)

Most people probably think they will be remembered for the good work they have done. Such fame is usually reserved for the few who do accomplish some notable achievement. But, for most of us, it’s probably not anything we’ve done but how we’ve related to people that will be remembered. We should always treat others with respect and encouragement.

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. … not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4)

STOP AND THINK – Forgiveness is the only way to stop the cycle of unfair pain turning in your memory. (Lewis Smedes, late theologian and professor)

Smedes has suggested the one successful way to handle wrongs done against us. Anger is not the answer. As Smedes says, “Revenge never evens the score, for alienated people never keep score of wrongs by the same mathematics.” Learning to forgive may be difficult for us, but it may save a relationship, and it will certainly give us peace of mind.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

STOP AND THINK – Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who get burned. (Buddha)

Has this ever been true in your life? Most of us have used our disappointments and hurts as opportunities to try to “get even.” When we do that, we’ll finally discover that we haven’t affected the person who wronged us, and we are now hurting even more. Control your anger! Don’t get burned!

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

STOP AND THINK – Sign on a maintenance shop door: We can repair anything. (Please knock hard on the door, the bell doesn’t work).

We laugh at such a puzzle. But we are sometimes guilty of doing the same thing in life, aren’t we? We speak in generalities, which most often are not true, and we don’t expect anyone to challenge our statements. It would be wiser not to make broad boasts, but to offer our services with humility

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

STOP AND THINK – No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday. (Alexander Pope, 18^th century English poet)

One of the hardest things for any of us to say is, “I was wrong.” Somehow, it just goes against our prideful nature, doesn’t it? But Pope’s conclusion is worth considering. When we see our mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve, we can pass on to others what we’ve learned for the benefit of all of us.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge (Proverbs 15:2). Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).