Daily Stop & Thinks

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. (C. H. Spurgeon, 19^th century British preacher)

Do we worry more now than we used to, or does it just seem that way? Has life become so complex and uncertain, that more and more people are anxious about their lives and circumstances?

Life was never intended to be that way.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

The atheist can’t find God for the same reason that a thief can’t find a police officer. (Author Unknown)

That makes sense, doesn’t it? Who ever heard of a thief looking for the police? He’s doing his best to avoid the law. Some honest atheists have searched for God, hoping to prove His non existence, only to discover Him through His revelation, primarily in the Bible.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 53:1)

Stop being so sure that you are always right and others wrong. (J. C. Ryle, 19^th century Anglican bishop, speaking to young men)

It’s characteristic of young people, isn’t it? They’re sure that they are right; rarely will they admit to being wrong. But, maybe it’s not just the youth that demonstrate that kind of

overconfidence. In the political arena, such arrogance is the norm; it’s expected. But it isn’t a desirable personality trait, is it? And God hates pride.

Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. (1 Samuel 2:3)

Reputation is what you are supposed to be; Character is what you are. (William Hershey Davis, late pediatric physician)

Davis goes on to say, “Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime.” So, character is no simple thing. If it is to be what we will be known by, we should pay close attention

to how we build it and realize that it often is developed through hard times.

Suffering produces perseverance [and] perseverance, character. (Romans 5: 4, 5)

Judgmentalism assumes that you have the right to change someone else. Well, you don’t. You only have the right to choose how you will change and behave. 
(Vince Poscente, motivational speaker)

We do think we have the right to judge others, don’t we? At least, we do it a lot. In reality, the only person we should judge is ourselves, choosing how we should behave and not being concerned so much about the behavior of others.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

People are very open-minded about new things—as long as they’re exactly like the old ones. (Charles F. Kettering, American engineer and inventor)

We’re often the victim of our past: “We’ve never done it that way before,” and similar expressions. We accept change but only if it’s within certain strict limits of our experience. Such an

attitude eliminates progress altogether.

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21)

I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life—specifically the fear of change, the fear of the unknown. (Erica Jong, American author)

Many people apparently live in constant fear, not of catastrophe or trauma, but of change or not knowing what lies ahead. A change of attitude could bring great joy and optimism into one’s

life, anticipating the positive and accepting change for its potential good.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change. (Susan Taylor, American journalist)
 

Life would be so pleasant if we didn’t have to face a crisis from time to time, wouldn’t it? On the other hand, every crisis provides an opportunity for learning and growth. So, rather than 

complain, we’d do well to look for what we can learn from the experience.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century American essayist)

We often are so entangled in the affairs of life that we rarely consider who we are, rather concentrating on what we have done or what we think we can do in the future. As Emerson suggests, however, the internal is much more important than the external. We must develop our inner character to be able to accomplish anything worthwhile.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. (Romans 12:2)

It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.
(Jim Bishop, 20^th century American journalist)

A simple statement of profound truth! We might wish we could go back to the “good ol’ days” or jump ahead to a bright future, but it just doesn’t work that way. So, we must live in the moment, prepared by the past, and working for the future.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something.
(Henry David Thoreau, 19^th century American author and philosopher)

Work is a privilege. Men were created to work, and little of value is accomplished without hard work. Working provides for one’s needs and earns the respect of others.

Make it your ambition to . . . work with your hands . . . so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Difficult times have helped me to understand . . . how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.
(Isak Dinesen, penname of Danish author Karen von Blixen-Finecke)

Many others who have suffered difficult times have come to the same conclusion: We worry too much about nonessentials, ignoring the more important things of life.

Jesus: “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)