Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Even if your boss isn’t a good boss, learn from that—what not to do. Maybe that’s part of what you need to learn right now. (Paraphrased from Mike Lee, American pastor)

It isn’t always easy to work under someone who is demanding, harsh, and never seems satisfied with what you do. Unfortunately, that’s what it’s like for some employees. We may also find it hard at times to live at peace with some governmental authority that seems to be unfair or biased. But, life often requires submission even to unappreciated authority.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. (Romans 13:3)

STOP AND THINK – All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. (Pablo Neruda, 20th century Chilean poet and diplomat)

That’s an interesting worldview. Unless we want to hide ourselves and pretend to be something we’re not, it would seem important that we let people know who we really are. A stronger worldview, however, might focus not on what others think we are but on the contribution we can make to help others become all they can be.

In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops—no, but the kind of man the country turns out. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

When we study history, we often judge past civilizations by the size of their territory, their conquests in war, or the monuments they may have left—the pyramids, for example. Isn’t it more important, however, to know the kind of people they produced? Are they known for their evil dictators and cruel warriors or for their artists, philosophers, and teachers?

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people. (Exodus 18:25)

STOP AND THINK – Charity is never lost; it may meet with ingratitude . . . yet it ever does a work of beauty and grace upon the heart of the giver. (Conyers Middleton, 18th century English clergyman)

Middleton has added an important twist to the essential quality of charity, or love. We most often think of charity as helping others and, in turn, receiving the thanks of the recipient of our love. But when that isn’t the case, there is still great benefit to our acts of charity because it does something good in us.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

STOP AND THINK – Don’t be a dark cloud on a sunny day. (Television commercial)

Do you know anyone like that? Things are going well; you’re happy and doing fine, and wham! Somebody comes along and ruins your day with their unhappiness, pouring out their misfortune or bad attitude on you. Wouldn’t you rather be the person who brings sunshine and hope into another’s life? Make it your purpose for today.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

STOP AND THINK – To feel valued, to know, even if only once in a while, that you can do a job well is an absolute marvelous feeling. (Barbara Walters, American broadcast journalist)

We all want to succeed at something, to do really well, and to be recognized for our achievement even if it’s only in a little thing. It does something for our self-image. Knowing that, it would be good for all of us to lend a hand to others by helping them succeed in a worthy endeavor so they can have their moment of “feeling valued.”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

STOP AND THINK – Character is much easier kept than recovered. (Thomas Paine)

We all stumble from time to time. It’s important that we forgive those who stumble and try to get back up. When the fall is because of moral or ethical failure, it is much more difficult to regain trust. We must be on our guard to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct. That’s easier than trying to regain the confidence of others after a fall.

If someone is caught in a [fall], you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

STOP AND THINK – The supreme test of goodness is not in the greater but in the smaller incidents of our character and practice. (F. B. STOP AND THINK – Meyer, 19th & 20th century British pastor and evangelist)

The Bible says it’s “the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.” Many times it’s not the big trials that cause us to stumble, it’s the little things. Sometimes we can uphold our reputation in the face of big problems when others are watching, but lose it when we get home. To be tested in little things, shows whether we can be trusted with the bigger. Watch out for the little things!

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)

STOP AND THINK – Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; character is what you have when you go away. (William Hershey Davis, 20th century seminary professor)

Since you never have a second chance to make a first impression, it’s important to begin any new relationship with a good reputation and from then on, prove to others that you really are what you seem to be. It’s equally important not to misjudge others before knowing them awhile. It’s important that one’s reputation is matched by a life of sterling character.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

STOP AND THINK – Every man has three characters: that which he shows, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has. (Alphonse Karr, 19th century French critic, journalist, and novelist)

The “character” we show is our reputation. The “character” we think we have is our self-image. Our real character is the integrity or lack of it that we have. We all want to think well of ourselves and hope that others do, too. But the real question is, what are we really like on the inside, where no one else can see—but God?

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. (Romans 12:3)

STOP AND THINK – You can’t dream yourself into character; you must hammer & forge yourself one. (James Froude, English biographer, historian, and editor)

As much as we might like to think that by studying and trying mentally to develop good character, it just doesn’t happen that way. Like most qualities, it takes experience and trials to cultivate integrity. Character must be tried in adversity and hardship to demonstrate its reality. Such a quality is seen only when it is put to the test.

You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – What a man’s mind can create, man’s character can control. (Thomas Edison, 19th-20th century American inventor)

Is Edison saying that a creative inventor would naturally see that his creations were put always and only to moral purposes by ethical means for the good of society? More likely, he was implying that inventions will be put to good and proper use only if the inventor is a person of good character.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)