Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK If you treat an individual … as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be. (Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, 18th-19th century German writer, artist, and politician)

The way we respond to people, the way we act and react toward them, contributes to their view of themselves and their achievements. So, we should be very careful in our relationships, trying not to be negative and critical but positive and helpful.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. … 
Let us encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

STOP AND THINK It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century American author and philosopher)

Two people look at a rose plant. One sees the thorns; the other sees the blossom. Likewise, two might be facing a perplexing situation. One sees the hurdles to overcome, the problems to solve, the difficulties to wrestle with. The other, aware of all those things, sees the great opportunities inherent in the situation. Life could be more pleasant if we were more careful to see the positive in what we look at.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” (Matthew 13:14)

STOP AND THINK In suffering, God is not getting back at you; He is getting you back to Himself. (Bob Kellerman, psychologist and author)

People often think that sickness and suffering are punishments from God. More often, however, they are the result of viruses, injuries, hereditary anomalies, and the inevitable spread of disease. If God allows you to suffer, perhaps He is merely giving you time to think more seriously about life and, particularly, your relationship with Him.

But those who suffer [God] delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. (Job 36:15)

STOP AND THINK A thankful heart hath a continual feast. (W. J. Cameron, news anchor, columnist, author)

We sometimes speak of an attitude of gratitude, a continual sense of being thankful. Grateful people seem to complain less and to enjoy life more. Circumstances may not always be pleasant but they choose to be glad for the good things they have and to express their gratitude. Oh, that more people were like that!

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. (1 Timothy 4:4)

STOP AND THINK The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths. (Frederick II, the Great, 18th century Prussian king)

There may be nothing new in the world, as King Solomon said, but there remain truths to be discovered or re-discovered. The scientific data are ancient, but modern technology has only recently discovered how to engineer the data to produce the electronic marvels we use today. Likewise, there are intellectual and spiritual truths yet to be appreciated by many.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

STOP AND THINK It is better to prepare than to repair. (Richard Krejcir, pastor and author)

“Think before you act.” “Measure twice, cut once.” These are reminders that careful advance work can save a lot of work. No one wants to go back and do it all over again. “Do it right the first time” is another worthy admonition. If we were to apply those principles to our words and actions, we’d no doubt develop better relationships and accomplish more good.

Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you. (1 Peter 1:13)

STOP AND THINK Those who turn back, remember the ordeal. Those who persevere, remember the adventure. (Milo Arnold, Christian author)

This quote is presumably from Arnold’s book, The Adventure Called Marriage. In the broader context of life, it is just as appropriate. When we quit our involvement in something difficult, we most often will look back on that experience as a trial. But, if we stick it out to a successful conclusion, we will likely view the experience with greater peace of mind.

Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16)

STOP AND THINK Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike; they die without any idea of death. . . (Voltaire, 18th century French Enlightenment philosopher)

At first, that last statement might seem like a good thing. For animals, perhaps, but in reality, men recognize that there is an end to life and no man is exempt from death. So, the question is not if we’re going to die, but when. And, more important, what lies beyond the grave? Are we prepared for it?

It is appointed unto men once to die [and] after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

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.)

In America this is Martin Luther King, Jr., day, commemorating a leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. King was more than an educator, a preacher, and a political activist. Perhaps, his role could be summed up in the term “educator.” Today’s quote is a reminder of education’s true purpose: intelligence with character (integrity).

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

STOP AND THINK Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. (St. Francis of Assisi)

We like to jump to the end, don’t we? We want to dream, to create, to build—sometimes before we’ve done the necessary groundwork. It’s important to start at the beginning, however—to learn the fundamentals, to do the required and what we are capable of doing. Then, it’s time to take a step of faith, perhaps, and move beyond the ordinary.

Jesus . . . said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

STOP AND THINK Nature always takes her time. Great oaks don’t become great overnight. (Andrew Matthews, international speaker and author)

Patience is not a virtue to be found easily in modern society. We want what we want, and we want it right now. But almost anything of value and worth will take time and effort. Perseverance is a much needed trait today.

[We pray that you may be] strengthened with all power according to [God’s] glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. (Colossians 1:11)

STOP AND THINK We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it. (C. S. Lewis, British Christian apologist)

As Mark Twain pointed out in an earlier “Stop and Think” quote, man is capable of knowing right and wrong. However, the ability to choose and do right rather than wrong requires more than good intentions. The more we struggle against our own inclination to do wrong, the more difficult it seems to overcome.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)