Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible. (Virginia Satir, 20th century American author and psychotherapist)

Satir is right! But she left out one very important thing. We have self-worth because mankind is created in the image of God. When you realize that truth, then “feelings of worth can flourish.” Realizing your own value (to God) makes it much easier to take into account the worth of everyone else, and to treat them with respect.

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 you have one true friend, you have more than your share. (Thomas Fuller, 17th century English churchman and historian)

What is Fuller suggesting? That there aren’t enough friends to go around? That if you have one friend, you shouldn’t try to find others? Maybe his emphasis is on the word “true.” Not every nodding acquaintance can really be called a friend. A true friend is one you can rely on, someone who will tell you the truth even when it hurts. Someone who has your back.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

STOP AND THINK – Walking your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. Be honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others to do. (Vince Poscente, motivational speaker)

We hear a lot today about “walking your talk.” Often, it’s a challenge to live in a manner consistent with your spoken claims because of the effect your conduct and talk have on others. Poscente, however, is challenging the talker to be consistent for his own benefit, to make his own life more fulfilling and complete.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example … in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. (Roy L. Smith, American clergyman)

Christmas in just two week away and children young and old are thinking about the gifts they’ll receive. Smith’s comment may be hard for children to grasp, but many adults haven’t grown beyond the gift-giving emphasis either. Christmas is not about a nicely wrapped present; it’s understanding the reality of God’s gift.

The Word [God] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

STOP AND THINK – If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

What an interesting statement from a renowned scientist whose theories are not so easily explained—at least for the lay person. It is a reminder that we should try to make our explanations understandable to anyone we’re talking to. Life may be complex, so we need to seek wisdom that is relevant, easy to understand, and useful.

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

STOP AND THINK – You can’t pour out if you haven’t been filled up. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and motivational speaker)

Do you ever feel empty? Someone close needs help or asks for advice, and you feel like you just don’t have anything to give? That’s why it is so important that we take time to read, to study, to pray, to spend time in activities that refresh and restore, and to encourage one another. You can’t be of help to anyone else unless you take care of yourself.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

STOP AND THINK – Thoughts, positive or negative, grow stronger when fertilized with constant repetition. (Charles Swindoll, American pastor and author)

Some say that repetition is the key to learning. Others say that practice makes perfect. In reality, of course, practice makes permanent, and poor practices develops poor habits. So, we need to be very careful both in what we practice and how we practice. For example, the repetition of making right choices produces good behavior.

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)

STOP AND THINK – My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through those of others. (C. S. Lewis, British Christian apologist)

Lewis was referring to a person’s view of himself. We should not examine or evaluate ourselves merely from our own perspective. Obviously, we are biased in our own favor. It’s important to have a proper self image, of course, but seeing ourselves as others see us will be a great equalizer. Such a view should result in an honest and humble self-evaluation.

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

STOP AND THINK – Appreciation can make a day—even change a life; your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. (Margaret Cousins, writer and editor)

A simple “Thank you” can be a big boost to someone who has served you in some way. The most humble person, serving out of compassion, isn’t looking for thanks, but he or she will be encouraged by it. A mention of appreciation, whether spoken or written, encourages us all and motivates continued good service. Knowing you’ve helped someone is reward enough.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

STOP AND THINK – We ought to learn from the past; we ought to look to the future, but we ought to live in the present. (Philip De Courcy, Pastor and Bible teacher)

Some of us like to “live in the past.” We’re nostalgic and long for the “good ole days.” Others are futuristic, always planning for a “golden era,” and anticipating what could be. Of course, we are all forced to live in the present. A proper perspective of life remembers the past with benefit, plans for the future, but makes the best of each moment of every day.

Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

STOP AND THINK – Do they still make wooden Christmas trees? (Charlie Brown, Peanuts cartoon character)

Christmas is just three weeks away and already children are excited, anticipating the holidays and gifts. But Charlie Brown’s question should challenge us to think about what is real about this holiday. With artificial trees, fake snow, and make-believe stories, how do we separate the facts from the fiction? Let’s begin by looking for the truth that Christmas is really about.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

STOP AND THINK – Trusting God is not only scary, it’s often illogical. Trust anyway. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

Faith is a unique quality. It doesn’t require empirical evidence or laboratory testing. We all express faith in many ways every day. We acknowledge gravity and the movement of the stars and planets, even though most of don’t understand them. When it comes to spiritual things, faith is trusting that God will be true to His word.

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)