Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – I wish to do something Great and Wonderful, But I must start by doing the little things like they were Great and Wonderful. (Albert Einstein, 20th century German-born physicist)

Just about everyone wants to accomplish some great feat, both for the benefit of humankind and for personal recognition. And Einstein certain did. Yet, he expressed a profound truth. It all begins with the little things. Take responsibility for them, and the opportunity may well arise for you to do something much larger.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. (Luke 16:10)

STOP AND THINK – People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. (John C. Maxwell, Christian author and speaker)

Trying to influence people by displaying your wide knowledge on some particular subject is usually ineffective unless you’ve built some kind of relationship with them. Even when you try to help someone in need, unless you have created some connection with that person, he may hesitate to accept your help. You have to show that you really care.

Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)

STOP AND THINK – To be happy, don’t do whatever you like; like whatever you do. (Antoine de Saint Exupery, 20th century French writer)

Many people seem to think that happiness comes from having the freedom to do whatever you want to do. But the people who follow that thinking don’t really seem to be happy. More often, it’s the people who adjust to life’s circumstances and learn to find contentment in whatever they are called upon to do who have true joy.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. (Philippians 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly:–’Tis dearness only that gives everything its value. (Thomas Paine, 18th-19th century American revolutionary author)

It’s hard to imagine the pain, deprivation, and suffering that the armies of the American Revolution endured to bring about the creation of the American nation. But Paine’s observation about the glory of victory illustrates well the principle that the value of any accomplishment is determined by the price of its achievement.

… if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory . . . I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us . . . (Romans 8:17, 18)

STOP AND THINK – Pearls are the product of pain—precious, tiny jewels conceived through irritation, born of adversity, nursed by adjustment. (Charles Swindoll, American pastor and author)

Here’s another lesson to be learned from nature. When we look at pearls, we probably don’t think of how they were created. Instead, we might note the setting in the ring or the brooch, or the order of the string of pearls on the chain. We give no thought to how the pearls were created. The analogy to life is clear: Life’s successes are often gained through adversity.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

STOP AND THINK – Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. (Carl Sandburg, 20th century American writer and poet)

Another way of saying it is “Time is the measure of life.” Or, at least, how we spend our time, what use we make of it will be the gauge of our success or failure. And, as Sandburg notes, we are responsible for that measure. Don’t let anyone else control your use of the time you’ve been given.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time . . . in reverent fear. (1 Peter 1:17)

STOP AND THINK – The best learning I had came from teaching. (Corrie Ten Boom, holocaust survivor)

Every teacher would likely agree with Ten Boom’s observation. We really begin to learn our subject when we prepare to teach it and actually experience the interaction of teaching and learning. The teacher, then, may well become the greater learner. Look for opportunities to teach others—not only for their benefit but for yours.

You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? (Romans 2:21)

STOP AND THINK – Change has long been a fearful thing for human beings … and at the same time, it is our most Divine opportunity. (Chelle Thompson, Inspiration Line)

Why do so many people fear change? To paraphrase Thompson, “Clinging to the banks of the river may seem safe and more secure, but life’s possibilities are truly engaged only when we trust, release and become part of the flow.” The possibility, even the necessity, of change will most often provide a unique opportunity that will prove to be of great benefit.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone: kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own. (Adam Lindsay Gordon, 19th century Australian poet)

We might not think of life as “froth and bubble,” but we can certainly benefit from Gordon’s conclusion that kindness and courage are rocks to build your life on. You will more likely be remembered for your kindness to others and your courage in the midst of life’s struggles than you will be the fun and games you enjoyed with others.

It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:21) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13)

STOP AND THINK – Everything we paint is a statement about ourselves. (Mark Davis, American radio host and columnist)

We may be inclined to think that what we do is often insignificant and unnoticed. Yet, as an author’s writings reflect his personality and the artist’s paintings reveal her inner character, so the product of our lives tell the world who we really are. That may be even truer of the small characteristics of our lives that we think others don’t observe.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

STOP AND THINK – There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events [in life] are blessings given to us to learn from. (Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, 20th century Swiss-American psychiatrist)

Kubler-Ross also says, “Know that everything in this life has purpose.” Many today live as if life was just a series of happenstances. Rather than planning and living life with purpose, they merely react to the current circumstances, hoping for the best. What will be will be, they think. How much more exciting and fulfilling it is to pursue life with purpose.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:13-14)

STOP AND THINK – True integrity implies you do what is right when no one is looking or when everyone [else] is compromising. (Charles Swindoll, American pastor and author)

Did you ever say, “Everyone else is doing it,” when you wanted your parents’ permission to do something they didn’t approve of? Of course, the statement is never totally true, but what’s more important is that the standard of right and wrong is not what everyone else does or doesn’t do. There has to be a higher authority—your parents, the law, and especially God.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians 3:23)