Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Backslappers help us feel better about ourselves, but we don’t actually profit by them. (Ted W. Engstrom, late evangelical leader and author)

It’s nice to be congratulated and applauded, isn’t it? But there’s a danger in thinking too highly of those compliments. They may boost our ego to our own detriment. Engstrom went on to say, “Real change and emotional growth come by facing our weaknesses and personality defects as others see us.” Accept praise humbly and criticism realistically.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. (Romans 12:3)

STOP AND THINK – If it is hard to accept a rebuke, even a private one, it is harder still to administer one in loving humility. (D.A. Carson, theologian and professor)

We all know how difficult it is to be criticized or corrected—even when we know it’s well deserved. But when we have to correct someone else, how sensitive are we to that person’s feelings? Recalling our own feelings and uncertainties when we were corrected should help us correct others, as Carson suggests, with loving humility.

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

STOP AND THINK – We cannot control the beauty of our face, but we can control the expression on it. (John Maxwell, motivational speaker and author)

Millions—maybe billions—of dollars are spent every year on cosmetics and surgery to make our faces prettier or to overcome signs of aging. But, whatever our natural appearance, our faces can be improved simply by smiling. What a difference that can make—not only in our own feelings but in the response it will likely bring about in others. So, smile!

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

STOP AND THINK – There are three kinds of giving: grudge giving, duty giving, and thanksgiving. (Robert Rodenmeyer, author, educator)

Rodenmeyer defines the types of giving: “Grudge giving says, I have to; duty giving says, I ought to; thanksgiving says, I want to.” For many of us, with all the appeals for our money, it almost seems like “Trick or Treat” every day. So, we either don’t give at all or we give reluctantly. It’s a real joy, however, when we learn to give willingly to worthy causes.

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 – Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions. (G. K. Chesterton, English writer and Christian apologist)

The more often we hear something that at first seems strange, the more acceptable it may become. Yet, falsehood doesn’t become truth by its repetition. Some TV commercials are repeated so often that they become common place to us, and no matter their validity, they may soon become acceptable to the unwitting observer. Beware!

An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. (Proverbs 12:17)

STOP AND THINK – Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century essayist and poet)

Emerson must have been a positive thinker. Most of us probably don’t look at every day that way. We just know that some days aren’t going to be good—a big loan payment is due, a difficult business meeting is at hand, or we’ve argued with a loved one. Wouldn’t it be great, if we could adopt the attitude of the psalmist and rejoice because today is God’s day?

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

STOP AND THINK – Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them. (Epictetus, ancient Greek sage and Stoic philosopher)

We do let things bother us, don’t we? Whether it’s a disappointment at work, in sports, or personal relationships, we can be easily discouraged. We would do well to heed the ancient Greek philosopher’s words. Most often it’s not the things or the disappointments, but our emphasis on things rather than people and God that leads to our distress.

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

STOP AND THINK – Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities. (Norman Vincent Peale, 20^th century minister and promoter of “positive thinking”)

Sometimes we become discouraged because circumstances seem to be working against us, and our hope for success becomes dimmed. It’s then that we need a friend or counselor who can help us see beyond the present to consider what can be done to reclaim the lost hope and move toward success. Faith in the God of the impossible will sustain you.

Everything is possible for one who believes. (Mark 9:23)

STOP AND THINK – The only person who likes change is a wet baby. (Mark Twain)

Change is inevitable. Like it or not, we will face innumerable changes as we move through life. Some of us hate change; others just “go with the flow.” They adjust well. But for some, as Billy Crystal said, “Change is such hard work.” Let’s not resist change but accept and welcome it when it’s for our good.

Jesus: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

STOP AND THINK – If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? (John Wooden, noted basketball coach)

In our fast-paced life, we are often faced with a dilemma: do we slow down to do the job better or do we hurry on because there is still so much to do? It’s worth stopping to consider Wooden’s question. If we have to do our work over, correcting our mistakes, it will just compound our time problem. Better slow down to do it well and right the first time.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

STOP AND THINK – Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results! (Rita Mae Brown, Emmy nominated screen writer and novelist)

Why is it that we so often pursue the same goals with the same effort, when doing so hasn’t worked so far? Are we really that senseless? Or do we think that persistence will eventually bring the results we want? We should be willing to learn from our mistakes and try something different in our pursuit of worthwhile accomplishments.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. (2 Timothy 2:22)

STOP AND THINK – Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster. (Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32^nd president of the United States)

What do you know about oysters? It appears that they aren’t terribly active; they just lie in their shell and vegetate. If a grain of sand gets into the oyster, it may produce a pearl. But Roosevelt was probably just using the oyster as an illustration of inactivity. And we all need to be reminded from time to time that life requires our full attention and active involvement.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all . . . giving thanks to God the Father.(Colossians 3:17)