Daily Stop & Thinks

God doesn’t give you what you can handle. He helps you handle what you are given. (Seen on a tee-shirt)

You can see strange quotes on tee-shirts, but sometimes there’s some pretty good theology, too. While not an entirely accurate biblical concept, there is something to learn from this quote. We are not left alone to handle our trials; God is ready to help those who seek Him in genuine faith.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Those who trade liberty for security have neither.  (John Adams, 2^nd president of the United States)

In days of turmoil, stress, and fear, people are looking for security. When life and possessions are threatened, some look for a deliverer, and they are ready to pay just about any price. But Adams’ warning is significant; you may lose more than you gain.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born. (Antoine de Saint Exupery, French writer and poet)

We think we know ourselves pretty well until something traumatic happens, and we discover another whole personality within us. Perhaps, we explode in anger, or we plan something evil against someone else. As we discover more about ourselves, we come to realize that we need a deep change to become a wholesome, healthy, productive person.

Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)

In war: resolution; in defeat: defiance; in victory: magnanimity; in peace: good will. (Winston Churchill)

The third is probably the more difficult. To be magnanimous (having a courageous and generous spirit) after struggling to overcome a dangerous foe is not easy. Then, in times of peace, to show good will, especially to those who were recently your enemy, takes help from on high. 

Jesus, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28)

Nothing gives one a more spuriously good conscience than keeping rules. (C. S. Lewis, British Christian apologist) 

It feels good to play by the rules, doesn’t it? Unless, of course, the rules prevent us from doing something we want to do that’s against the rules. Sometimes, we have a false sense of security because we are good rule-keepers. We forget the spirit of the rules, and we ignore the deeper intentions of doing good, which is to follow the Golden Rule.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)

Maintaining a complicated life is a great way to avoid changing it. (Elaine St. James, author)

Life in the 21st century has become very complex. We talk about simplifying our lives, but we find it difficult to do. We sometimes find it almost impossible to simplify, to do away with the complexities of modern technology. It takes great determination to simplify, but it’s worth it.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all happiness and growth occur while you’re climbing it. (Andy Rooney, late television social commentator) 

Anticipation is often more gratifying than the realization of a dream, and the effort to achieve the dream may bring greater satisfaction than completing the goal. 

Whatever the goal or however difficult the climb, help is available.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Regard your sickness as a blessing in disguise – a good and not an evil – a friend and not an enemy. (Author Unknown)

That’s not easy to do, is it? When we’re sick, weak, and hurting, it’s hard to think positively about our condition. But when we’re out of commission, it’s a good time to contemplate what’s really important in life, our eternal and spiritual well-being, for example.

Keep them [the words of wisdom] within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. (Psalm 4:22-23)

God is more interested in our attitudes than our actions. (Mike Lee, pastor) 

We often say that actions speak louder than words, and that’s very true. We can tell what a person is thinking by what he does more than just by what casino online he says. In the long run, though, it may not be either the actions or the words, but the attitude that best reflects who we are. What do others think about you when they see your attitude on display?

You were taught … to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Because faith makes invisible things real and visible things unreal, earthly dissatisfaction becomes the road to heavenly satisfaction. (Joni Eareckson Tada, evangelical author and founder of a compassion ministry) 

It’s a paradox that people of faith have come to realize: things that are not seen may be more real than things you can see and touch. God’s good plans for those who trust Him are not necessarily physical or temporal; they are spiritual and eternal.Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. (Helen Keller) 

Many people dream of doing something really great, hoping perhaps for world recognition, to make a fortune, maybe even to win a Nobel Prize. In reality, few will achieve those levels of accomplishment, but we all can—and must—approach all our work as significant and worthy.

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

Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I’ll understand! (Chinese proverb)

Sounds like a principle right out of a teacher’s manual, doesn’t it? We need instruction and example, but we learn best by doing. And if we want to help others learn, we will need to tell, show, and give them opportunities to do some hands-on work.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. (Philippians 4:9)