Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century American essayist)

Too often when we’ve made a mistake, we try to use the excuse that our circumstances forced us to make the bad decision. We’d like to think it really wasn’t our fault. Yet, in reality, we are responsible for our choices and actions. Circumstances may be difficult, but that only serves to test our character and demonstrate our integrity.

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out (Proverbs 10:9)

STOP AND THINK – The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out. (Baron Thomas Babington Macauley, 19th century British historian)

Remember when you were a child and you wanted to do something you knew would displease your parents? Where did you do it? Certainly not in front of them! Why is it that when we are tempted to do something we know is wrong, we try to hide? We don’t want to be seen. The person of character realizes that such hidden activity is always wrong.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)

STOP AND THINK – Character is much easier kept than recovered. (Thomas Paine, English-American political author, active in the American Revolution)

We can lose in sporting events, debates, and political races—none of which hinder us from picking up the pieces and moving forward to win the next time. Not so with character, however. Winning back our reputation, at best, will likely take a lot of work and a long time. Be alert, then, to maintain your integrity no matter what you are doing.

The man of integrity walks securely (Proverbs 10:9)

STOP AND THINK – Every man has three characters: that which he shows, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has. (Alphonse Karr, 19th century French critic and writer)

The first might be called reputation, what others think of you. The third is how you might judge yourself. But the second is the most important—what you really are in terms of integrity, honesty, and genuineness. If you truly are genuine, it will show, your reputation will be noted, and you can have a sense of well-being.

I know my God that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. (1 Chronicles 29:17)

STOP AND THINK – Within each of us is a hidden store of courage, courage to give us the strength to face any challenge. (Inspiration Line)

Probably most people don’t think of themselves as being courageous. We’d rather avoid situations that demand heroic behavior, leaving those tough assignments to others—people we think are braver than we are. However, maybe it’s true that we all have a degree of courage if only we would step out to face the difficult task. Next time, step forward.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

STOP AND THINK – Today’s preparation = tomorrow’s performance. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf authors)

Whether it’s the game of golf or the game of life, the principle is valid. What you do today has an important bearing on how you will perform tomorrow. Preparation and practice are important, but more important is how you prepare, how you practice. Practice, you see, does not necessarily make perfect, but it does make permanent. So prepare, but prepare carefully.

Joshua: “Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow.’” (Joshua 7:13)

STOP AND THINK – If we want a new world, each of us must start taking responsibility for helping create it. (Rosemary Fillmore Rhea, late religious leader)

“The world we are experiencing today is the result of our collective consciousness,” Rhea said. We often criticize our “world,” and there is a lot to be critical of. But Rhea reminds us that our society is what we make it. We must take some responsibility for the way things are and work hard to bring change, rather than merely criticizing what we see.

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (Romans 14:12)

STOP AND THINK – To speak simply, you must think deeply. (A. E. Wilder-Smith, 20th century British organic chemist)

Another scientist, Albert Einstein, said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” In a world as technically complex as ours, these are ideas that become increasingly important. Truths that are to be learned and applied by the average person must be thought through carefully and deeply so they can be explained and understood simply.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

STOP AND THINK – Make today a day where you take control of the one thing you can control…yourself. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and motivational speaker)

Some people seem to be “controllers.” They want to be in charge. No matter what you have planned, they have a better idea and will set about pursuing their plan. Perhaps it’s an attempt to make up for some lack of control they sense in their own life. And that really is the issue: self-control. It may take supernatural help, but we must learn to control ourselves.

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

STOP AND THINK – Behavior flows out of our belief. (Author unknown)
Plato said, “Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.”

Undoubtedly, there is some truth to that. But how does that knowledge motivate us? What creates or controls our desires and emotions? Basic to our understanding of life and what really influences our behavior is our worldview, what we believe about reality.

The proverbs of Solomon: for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair. (Proverbs 1:1, 3)

STOP AND THINK – All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. (Pablo Neruda, Chilean Nobel Prize winner for Literature)

It is true that what we are is more important than what we do. We need not only to see our activity but to understand what motivates us—what we really are inside. But surely, there is more to life’s purpose than merely to know one another’s true character. A higher goal is to know the true character of our Creator, to accept His grace, and to prepare to meet Him.

So we make it our goal to please [God], whether we are at home in the body [alive] or away from it [dead]. (2 Corinthians 5:9)

STOP AND THINK – The human heart set on sin is impervious to reason, never mind appeals to fairness. (Eric Metaxas, biographer, author, Christian apologist)

Whatever your definition of sin, Metaxas notes a common reaction when someone is confronted with his errors: defensiveness and resistance. No matter the arguments about right and wrong or the effects on others of one’s poor behavior, the offender seems impervious to criticism or logic. The result of constant misbehavior is the blinding of a sinner to truth.

Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. (Proverbs 28:5)