Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. (Henry Ward Beecher, 19^th century American clergyman and social reformer)

We often want to be lifted out of the ordinariness of life. So we sometimes look for the unusual, even the spectacular to make us happy: fireworks on the 4^th of July, summer concerts in the park, or the county fair—attractions that do bring momentary happiness. But lasting joy is usually found in how we accept and use the common experiences of life.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

STOP AND THINK – 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, “Positive Thinking” author)

What you are is more important than what you have, but what you have can make you happy if you learn to use it with joy. The happy person is content with who he is, rather than envying someone else. And even more importantly, he will have lasting joy if he finds peace, not only with himself, but with God.

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

STOP AND THINK – [Be] a force of nature instead of . . . complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. (Paraphrased from George Bernard Shaw, 19^th & 20^th century Irish playwright)

It’s probably just a part of human nature that we are so self-centered. Some people seem to think that “the world owes them a living” or, at least, should contribute to their happiness. How much happier we could be if we’d turn our attention to others, rather than to ourselves. As Shaw suggests, then we could become “a force of nature,” perhaps making others happy.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. (Abraham Lincoln)

Is this another example of “mind over matter”? It is a good reminder that we are responsible, not just for how we act, but also for how we think. In other words, it’s often a matter of attitude. We can choose to let circumstances or other people control our emotions, or we can take our responsibility seriously and choose to be in control of our attitude.

Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires … [and] be made new in the attitude of your minds. (Ephesians 4:22-23)

STOP AND THINK – In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy. (Karl Reiland, 20^th century Episcopalian clergyman)

No doubt, you can be happy all by yourself. Being alone can be a great time for rest and meditation. But when you move out into the world in service to others, the happiness quotient seems to increase. Time alone can be used to prepare ourselves and to plan how to best serve others. Serving others has double benefit—theirs and ours.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. (1 Peter 4:10)

STOP AND THINK – To be depressed is to be lonely; to have a friend is to be happy. (Author unknown)

Maybe, it’s the other way around: to be lonely is to be depressed. In any case, it’s clear that we were created to live in community. John Donne was right when he said, “No man is an island.” When we have friends, we can share our disappointments and find encouragement; we can share our joys and cheer others.

The pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Proverbs 27:9). A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).

STOP AND THINK – There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will. (Epictetus, 2^nd century Greek Stoic philosopher)

There are a lot of “one ways,” aren’t there? Everyone seems to have the one way to do this or that, and many of the ideas are good ones. Epictetus’s comment has stood the test of time and is as true today as it was in A.D. 135 when he died. If we could just recognize that there are things beyond our control and stop worrying about them, we could be much happier.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:34)

STOP AND THINK – If we only wanted to be happy it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people. (Charles-Louis Montesquieu, 18^th century French political philosopher)

Is Montesquieu right? Do we really want to be happier than others? Maybe it’s just human nature—always wanting to have more than someone else. But the writer goes on to say that to be happier than others “…is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.” We should be content with what we have without comparing ourselves to others.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11). Be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5).

STOP AND THINK – Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. (C. S. Lewis, British Christian apologist)

Affection is defined as “tender attachment, fondness.” It’s a sentiment we experience when we’re among friends, people we appreciate, and we’re comfortable with. And most of us would say that it’s when we’re with those friends that we are most happy. Perhaps, if we were to broaden our acquaintances and develop more friends, we’d find more happiness.

One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. (Proverbs 22:11)

STOP AND THINK – Money can’t buy happiness but it can buy marshmallows, which is close. (Anonymous)

We probably don’t take this as a serious statement, but maybe it should make us think about life a little more seriously. Marshmallows are a bit of fluff, and there seems to be a lot of that in life today. But, money is a pretty important element. However, can either money or marsh-mallows bring happiness? Certainly, nothing of any lasting joy.

Whoever loves money never has enough . . . Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 19)

STOP AND THINK – Happiness is to take up the struggle in the midst of the raging storm and not to pluck the lute in the moonlight or recite poetry among the blossoms. (Ding Ling, 20^th century Chinese author)

Just as genuine love is not spooning by the lagoon under the moon in June, so real happiness is not simply enjoying the pleasant things of life. Love is actively working for others’ benefit. So happiness is to be found in actively working for good in the midst of opposition and struggles. Don’t give up when difficulties come. Work hard in spite of them and be happy.

The Apostle Paul, “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

STOP AND THINK – We plan for happiness, but we’re formed by suffering. (David Brooks, cultural commentator)

Suffering and happiness don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. How can we suffer and, at the same time, be happy? The answer lies in thinking beyond the physical to the spiritual. For the most part, it’s not the joyful experiences of life that mold us, it’s the tough times, the struggles. We can be happy that trials have built our character, have made us what we are.

Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials . . .  so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold . . . may result in praise, glory and honor. (1 Peter 1:6-7)