Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – To teach is to learn twice. (Joseph Joubert, 18-19th century French essayist)

Everyone who has ever attempted to teach a subject that he or she is not thoroughly familiar with has discovered the truth of this statement. Not only do we learn by doing, we learn also by teaching. To prepare carefully to teach is to guarantee that at least the teacher will learn. And the students will very likely learn as well.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness. (Titus 2:7)

STOP AND THINK – People are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. (James Allen, 19th-20th century writer)

When things are not going well, we usually want to see a change in our circumstances or environment—or maybe in the people around us. Rarely do we consider that the change may have to be within us. Perhaps we are the problem. It’s difficult to acknowledge that we may need to change, and it may be even harder to make the change, but we really need to do so.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

STOP AND THINK – We hide our hurts, and in the process we sabotage our healing. (quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, author and counselor)

Most of us are reluctant to talk about our hurts. They are personal and private, so we try to hide them from the public. Our minds create defense mechanisms and coping strategies to hide the pain. But until we bring it out either to confront the hurt ourselves or to seek counsel from a trusted friend, we will continue to suffer.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6, 7)

STOP AND THINK – – The unexamined life is not worth living. (Socrates, 5th century B. C. Greek philosopher)

Many people seem to be pretty care-free about living. Eat, drink, and be merry might well be their life principle, and their influence is not lasting. But the person whose life has purpose is the one who makes a significant contribution to society. He or she can be scrutinized and examined, and those who look will find evidences of honesty, truth, integrity, and character.

My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. (1 Corinthians 4:4)

STOP AND THINK – In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends. (John Churton Collins, 19th century English literary critic)

At this writing, someone has just won a mega-million dollar lottery. The winner will, no doubt, discover that he has lots of relatives’ and friends he didn’t know he had before the payoff. Had he fallen into some kind of tragedy through accident or an act of God, would he have found so many friends? Let us be sure to be constant friends, especially in adversity.

Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. (Proverbs 19:4) A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

STOP AND THINK – To avoid criticism: say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. (Russell Moore, American evangelical theologian)

We live in a very critical culture, which can be good or bad. Critical thinking is good; we must not give in to easy intellectualism without critical thought. On the other hand, to view everything and everyone with a critical spirit is counterproductive. We can avoid such criticism by saying and doing nothing, but we can’t have any influence for good that way.

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. (John 7:24)

STOP AND THINK – If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader. (quoted by Jim Brown, American pastor)

Many books have been written about leadership, but here’s a simple proposition: lead by doing. It isn’t so much what you say or how well you plan your strategy—all of which is important, but maybe your followers simply need to see you stepping out and doing it. Show them something to follow.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. (Proverbs 4:11)

STOP AND THINK – We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when adults are afraid of the light. (Plato, 4th-5th century B. C. philosopher)

A night light gave us a sense of security and safety when we were little and left alone in a dark bedroom. We were glad for the light then. But, do you remember when you first did something you knew your parents wouldn’t approve of? You did it hidden away somewhere, didn’t you? People prefer to do their evil deeds in the dark, strong evidence of their 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 – The fruit of the tree speaks volumes about the nature of the tree itself. (Alan Hirsh and Tim Catchim, American authors)

A botanist can identify a tree’s genus by his observations: bark, sap, color, growth patterns, etc. But even a scientifically untrained observer can usually identify a tree by its fruit. It’s so with people, too. Our appearance may not identify us easily, but our behavior certainly will. So, be careful about what you say and do if you want to be recognized for worth and value.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:18, 20)

STOP AND THINK – The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back. (Abigail van Buren, 20th century American advice columnist)

How you treat people who can benefit you or those who have no ability to harm you is not a good test of your integrity. It’s when you act without regard to “what’s in it for you” or “he can’t hurt me no matter what I do” that reveals the strength and consistency of your character.

The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. (Psalm 7:8)

STOP AND THINK – Opportunity never arrives. It’s here! (Author unknown)

If you’re waiting for just the right opportunity to knock on your door, you may have a long wait. There many opportunities all around you. Just look for work or avocations to meet your talents and desires. Or, maybe you’ll just have to create your own. As Francis Bacon said, “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men. (Galatians 6:10)

STOP AND THINK – Nobody can hurt me without my permission. (Mahatma Gandhi)

We’ve all known a few people who seem to have their feelings hurt very easily. The slightest misunderstanding will offend them. It may be difficult to manage, but in reality, we can be hurt by others only if we let them do so. Trying to understand their perspective or over-looking their intention, will help us stand strong in our own sense of self-worth.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)