Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

STOP AND THINK – We can command only if we know how to obey. We can lead only if we know how to follow. (Jean Vanier, Canadian philosopher and writer)

Some young people want to rush into significant roles of leadership without going through training or pursuing experience in their chosen field. But, there are prerequisites for taking posts of high responsibility. Demonstrated loyalty and obedience, following instructions well, having wide experience from which to learn—there are no shortcuts to leadership.

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. (Psalm 119:33)

STOP AND THINK – The lost art of the twentieth century is … meditation. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

In the helter-skelter of daily life, we rarely take time to reflect and think. With our heavy involvement in work, family, sports, and social activity, few of us pause long enough to relax—much less to meditate. How much better life could be if we could learn to refresh our minds by meditation.

I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143:5)

STOP AND THINK – Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way. (Isak Dinesen, pen name of Karen Blixen, Danish author)

Dinesen continued, “So many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.” When we face “difficult times,” instead of worrying about what we may not be able to control, we would do better to think again about all the good things life is offering us. Most of us are better off than we deserve; so let’s thank God and trust Him in the hard times.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

STOP AND THINK – If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly. (G. K. Chesterton, 20^th century English writer and Christian apologist)

Chesterton’s statement seems contrary to the popular, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” Other authors have explained the thought: “In other words, it’s better to try and fail, and then improve with practice, rather than simply to fail to try at all.” We can learn to keep trying even when we’re not doing well; in time, we can succeed.

The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down (Psalm 145:14). For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

STOP AND THINK – Life is not the way it’s supposed to be … It’s the way it is … The way we cope with it is what makes the difference. (Virginia Satir, 20^th century American author and social worker)

All of us have wished sometime that life were different—that circumstances or events had been more to our liking. But, as they say today, “It is what it is.” What we can’t change we must learn to live with or, as Satir says, “cope” with it. Again, it’s a matter of attitude and choice. We must choose to accept and cope with whatever in life we can’t control.

²² You were taught … to be made new in the attitude of your minds. (Ephesians 4:22-23)

STOP AND THINK – I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man. (Dwight L. Moody, 19^th century American evangelist)

Let’s be honest. We often want to blame others for our troubles. It wasn’t our fault that someone mistreated us or said something nasty about us. In fact, of course, we are sometimes treated poorly by other people. But, in reality, most of us would have to agree with Moody; we are sometimes our worst enemy. We need to be careful about our own thoughts and acts.

Train yourself to be godly. … Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:7, 16)