Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Don’t let success go to your head or failure to your heart. (Bianca Khanna, actress and model)

Good advice! Sometimes people let failures go to their heart, and it takes them into depression and continued failure. Others may let success go to their head, causing them to become proud and over-confident. Too often that leads to failure down the road. Both success and failure are part of life. Do not let either control your sense of well-being.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

STOP AND THINK – Before speaking, consider the interpretation of your words as well as their intent. (Andrew Alden)

We all know how beneficial an encouraging word can be. We also know how hurtful words can be. And, as Alden points out, it’s not just the words themselves or their specific meaning, but their intent is important, too. When we speak, what do we intend? To hurt or to help? We must give careful thought to our words and intentions.

Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)

STOP AND THINK – All doubt, despair, and fear become insignificant once the intention of life becomes love, rather than dependence on love. (Sri da Avabhas)

Everyone wants to be loved. To many, love is some kind of romantic feeling, like spooning under the moon by the lagoon in June. To others, it’s a very sensual emotion that may lead to promiscuity. True love, however, is seeking to serve another in his or her own best interest, doing what is good and right for them.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

STOP AND THINK – The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. (Roger Nash Baldwin, one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union)

The Irish have a similar saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” In other words, don’t talk about what you plan to do, just do it. You can accomplish far more with down-to-earth, practical good deeds than with lofty ambitions.

Good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. (1 Timothy 5:25)

STOP AND THINK – Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them. (Warren G. Bennis, American author and consultant)

It is important to have confidence when you set out to accomplish something worthwhile. When you begin a journey or project, you need to believe that you will achieve your goals. On the other hand, it’s good to realize that little is completed well without the help of others. Be strong but work with others to accomplish mutual goals.

… Solomon had finished building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do. (1 Kings 9:1)

STOP AND THINK – If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. (Inspiration Line)

To many people, change is threatening. They like the status quo, to leave things as they are. “I like it the way it is now,” they say. But change can be good. You wouldn’t want to have the Model T Ford as the only choice for your family car, would you? Look at change as an opportunity to grow, improve, and discover something better.

God had planned something better for us. (Hebrews 11:40)

GOD OF HOPE – Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. (Inspiration Line)

It’s a hard lesson to learn, isn’t it? How often we try to “get even” with someone who has wronged us, and we display our anger to our own hurt more than our antagonist. If we could only learn to control our anger, no one would be hurt.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. (Psalm 37:8)

STOP AND THINK – Ever forward, but slowly. (Von Blücher, 18th-19th century Prussian general)

Two very meaningful instructions, especially coming from a military officer. Surely, we don’t want to retreat; we must always be moving ahead. On the other hand, ill-advised haste can be disastrous, and caution may be necessary. A well-thought out strategy may well be the key to success in any endeavor.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)

STOP AND THINK – There’s a crack in everything—that’s how the light gets in. (Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist)

It’s the old pessimist-optimist quandary. Some people see the crack and think of damage. Others find some hope and help in the same break. For the optimist every circumstance in life provides an opportunity to see and do good. Certainly, that’s the preferred outlook if you want to live happily.

You were taught . . . to be made new in the attitude of your minds. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

GOD OF HOPE – If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, then you will be fired with enthusiasm. (Vince Lombardi)

It is more than just a play on words, isn’t it? Lombardi seems to be saying that if we don’t approach our work (in his case, playing football) with excitement and eagerness, we very likely won’t do it well. And for him, that meant you’d very likely be off the team. But if you go to work with passion, you will be a great encouragement to other workers, also.

Your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. (2 Corinthians 9:2)

GOD OF HOPE – Luck is believing you’re lucky. (Tennessee Williams, 20th century American playwright)

Is that really all it is? If I just think I’m lucky, I will be? Well, what is luck anyway? A definition of the word might well include the term “chance.” And it can be either good or bad. So, is that what we want to depend on—mere chance? Wouldn’t it be better to act on what we know to be true? Stick with what you have learned from trusted teachers.

Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. (2 Timothy 3:14)

STOP AND THINK – Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. (Author unknown)

The unknown author of this statement, also said, “Autograph your work with excellence.” Are you proud to have people know of your work? When someone views what you have done, are they impressed favorably? If we want our work to be appreciated, we need to work to the very best of our ability.

Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. (Romans 12:11)