Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – What a man’s mind can create, man’s character can control. (Attributed to Thomas Edison, American inventor)

While recognizing that the human mind has almost unlimited creative capacity, we may not be certain that Edison’s observation about man’s character is accurate. How do you explain the wicked plans created by men with evil intent? It would be wise for us to look beyond human capabilities to discover how to control good character development.

The integrity of the upright guides them (Proverbs 11:3). Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner (Proverbs 13:6)

STOP AND THINK – The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically… Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education. (Martin Luther King Jr, 20th century civil rights leader)

Readin’, writin’, and ’rithmetic. Indeed, those are essential elements in the what of learning—some of the core material you really need to know. But from the earliest days of formal training, education was seen to be a lot more than mere book “larnin.’” The goal is useful application of information for a life of self-improvement and benefit to society.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:14)

STOP AND THINK – Integrity…does not mean sinless, but it does describe a person who by God’s grace sins less. (Sam Storms, American theologian)

Although God is perfect and wants His people to be perfect, it is clear from the Bible and the lives of biblical characters that perfection is the goal but not the present experience of true believers. Progress in holiness is the desired evidence of a true believer. When he falls, he gets up again and asks God for strength to improve in godliness.

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. (Proverbs 24:16)

STOP AND THINK – Transform your behavior by changing your thinking. Your behavior is not the problem, your thinking is. (Chris Suitt, American pastor)

We hear a lot about behavior modification today. In the attempts to correct bad behavior or to help someone overcome addiction, counselors are most often working to change their clients’ behavior. It seems logical to do so. But, as Suitt suggests, the problem begins with the mind. Until your thinking is changed about behavior, no lasting change will be achieved.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

STOP AND THINK – What someone is begins to be revealed when his talent abates, when he stops showing us what he can do. (Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th century German philosopher)

We seem to think that what we do—our actions and accomplishments—will impress people so much that we will be known and remembered for those achievements. In reality, though, what we do merely reflects who we are. We can be sure, then, that when we can no longer “do,” we will be clearly seen for what we are.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Proverbs 27:19)

STOP AND THINK – Set yourself on fire and people will come for miles to watch you burn. (John Wesley, 18th century revivalist and founder of the Methodist movement)

Sounds like Foch (from yesterday’s “thought”) and Wesley were on the same page, although a century apart. They seem to agree that what sets some people apart from the average is a deep-seated zeal or passion. With Wesley, it was undoubtedly a spiritual revival that he was seeking, the conversion of men and women to a zealous higher calling.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11)

STOP AND THINK – The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. (Ferdinand Foch, 19th-20th century French soldier)

That’s an interesting statement from a military man. We might have expected him to name a big cannon or a strong cavalry unit as the strongest of weapons in his day. But no, he says a man with a burning zeal is more difficult to defeat than some powerful weapons of war. Is that the kind of people we are? Just think of the good we could do with such passion.

He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion. (Isaiah 59:17)

STOP AND THINK – The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. (James Oppenheim, 20th century American poet, novelist, and editor)

In American this is April Fool’s Day, a day when people play pranks on others to get a laugh and to poke fun. But foolishness is a far more serious thing. As Oppenheim says, the person who is always looking to the future and ignoring the present is a fool, missing out on his current opportunities for success and happiness.

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)

STOP AND THINK – Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. (Shakespeare)

Simple words but loaded with meaning. Shakespeare might have been thinking of Jesus’ words in the first statement, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). No doubt, life experience had taught him the second one. And the third, perhaps the biblical admonition referred to as “The Golden Rule.”

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12)

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, psychiatrist and author)

No one wants to fail. We all work hard to succeed, but failure is a part of life, and we must learn to deal with it. There are no solutions to some problems, it seems, and we simply have to learn to live with the unsolvable. As Peck says, life is a mystery. There can be a lot of enjoyment and benefit from pursuing that mystery with the intention to learn and benefit.

The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)

STOP AND THINK – Start living now. Every day you are alive is a special occasion. (Mary Manin Morrissey, life coach)

Some people are always waiting for a better day to enjoy something special. Morrissey says, “Stop saving the good china for that special occasion” and “Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes.” If you wait too long to do what you’ve always wanted to do—travel, try a hobby, visit a friend—you may never have the chance. Just do it now.

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)

STOP AND THINK – Success isn’t something you achieve, it’s someone you become. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and motivational speaker)

We’ve heard this idea before, but we need to be reminded of it regularly. Our society honors achievement (Olympic medals, winning in competition, building empires, etc.), and we are inclined to idolize such accomplishments. In reality, however, the most important achievements in life are what is accomplished in our own development and maturity.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)