Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed. (Sydney Smith, 19th century English writer)

Sometimes, it seems, young people want to be something that they don’t really seem suited for. Dissatisfaction with your natural abilities—wishing you had someone else’s gifts—too often leads to failure and depression. Discovering and developing your talents will bring satisfaction and fulfillment and, most likely, bring joy to others, as well.

Each of you has your own gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10).

STOP AND THINK – Never explain—your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway. (Elbert Hubbard, 19th-20th century American writer and philosopher)

Katherine Mansfield wrote, “I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing.” There are undoubtedly times when a person does need to offer an explanation, but often it should be unnecessary. Your friends trust you, and you don’t need to explain your actions or motives; they’ll always trust your word.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and 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 – Reputation matters but character leads the way. (Lolly Daskal, leadership consultant)

Reputation is gained in many ways—having a great success (in sports or entertainment, for example) or a big public failure (moral problem, criminal act, etc.). In the latter case, you might have been known as a person of character, but that has been destroyed quickly. We should work to build a reputation that is based on evident character maintained over time.

[God’s leader] must also have a good reputation with outsiders. (1 Timothy 3:7)

STOP AND THINK – Someone has said that an education is a growing awareness of our ignorance. (Quoted by Bruce Triplehorn, American teacher in Brazil)

The honest learner would confess that the more he learns the more he realizes there is so much more to learn. It is the purpose of education to help students master the skills needed in life to progress and to develop. It’s a delight to acquire a new skill or to achieve a new accomplishment. After that, there’s more to pursue, more to accomplish. That’s education.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning (Proverbs 1:5). 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 – Sweater: a garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly. (Inspiration Line)

We can all remember our mothers caring for us this way. Sometimes, it was unnecessary, maybe, but it was their overwhelming love that motivated them to protect us from danger (or colds). Such love is worthy of imitation. Shouldn’t we be looking out for those who are less able to care for themselves, trying to protect them from potential harm?

The righteous care about justice for the poor (Proverbs 29:7). Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people (Galatians 6:10).

STOP AND THINK – There is no practical value in believing. The value comes from what we do with what we believe. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

It has been noted before that belief or faith is only as good as the object of that faith. But, as Lee points out, there’s another factor to consider. It isn’t enough to have faith—to believe in a reliable, trustworthy entity. If that faith doesn’t cause you to change, to act upon what you say you believe, then it brings into question whether you really do believe.

Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. (Mother Teresa)

Hunger is still a serious problem in our world, and we should do all we can to alleviate it. Providing nutritional food will help, and we must make it available. But there are also many people who are starving for affection, having no self-worth and devoid of anyone who cares. We must find ways to take that love to such needy people, too.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

STOP AND THINK – Belief isn’t just about being sincere. If you really really believe you can fly, you’ll really really get hurt. (Kevin DeYoung, theologian and author)

Many people seem to think that as long as you have faith, you’ll be okay. But, as DeYoung points out, faith must be placed in something that is real and true. Blind faith will lead nowhere good. The strength of faith is all about what you’re placing your faith in. Be sure to trust in what is eternal and true.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

STOP AND THINK – We teach what we know, we reproduce what we are. (Winston Churchill, 20th century British prime minister)

Too often teaching is merely the transferring of information. Was Churchill saying that there’s something more to learning than just remembering the facts? The goal of education ought to include wisdom and understanding, and it must equip the students for life. The teacher, then, a person of character and integrity, will pour his life into his students.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

STOP AND THINK – Coaches help others do what they don’t want to do in order to achieve what they want to achieve. (Tom Nebel, leadership trainer)

Whether it’s in athletics, the arts, or almost any other profession—strenuous exercise and practice in the endeavor are required for success. Very often, it takes a mentor or coach to enforce the training regimen. The coach lays out the plan and holds the student accountable for carrying it out. Without such encouragement, success might not be achieved.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training (1 Corinthians 9:25). Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things (1 Timothy 4:8).

STOP AND THINK – The secret to happiness, of course, is not getting what you want; it’s wanting what you get. (Hyman Schachtel, 20th century rabbi)

Like so many other things in life, it is attitude or perspective that makes the difference. As a child you may have really been disappointed (unhappy) when you didn’t receive what you wanted at Christmas. If we can learn to be grateful for what we receive, that attitude will bring with it contentment (happiness) and satisfaction with what we receive.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

STOP AND THINK – Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution. (William A. Foster, U.S. Marine, Medal of Honor winner)

Foster is probably thinking of quality as excellence, which is not developed passively. He suggests further, that “It represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” In other words, you have to be intentional, pro-active, to develop such qualities. It is a worthy pursuit to establish good character, and it will benefit many others whom you will influence.

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)