Daily Stop & Thinks

Expectations

High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation. (Charles Kettering, late American inventor)

On the other hand, psychologist Barry Schwartz says, “The secret of happiness is low expectations.” That doesn’t sound too encouraging, does it? Author Choco de Jesús offers another view: “Misplaced expectations inevitably lead to inadequate responses.”  It is best, no doubt, to plan carefully, project our plans realistically, and give it our very best effort.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

Conflict

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. (Thomas Paine, 18^th century political activist)

Maybe it’s just a more sophisticated way of saying, “No pain, no gain.” Surely the revolutionaries who succeeded in bringing the United States into existence were well aware of the terrible conflict to come in their fight for independence. But they considered it a worthy project, and certainly gloried in the ultimate triumph, which we continue to celebrate today. 

Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. (Psalm 118:7)

Get Up!

Stumblers who give up are a dime a dozen . . . Stumblers who get up are as rare as rubies (Charles Swindoll, Christian author)

About the first, Swindoll says, “In fact, they’re useless.” Regarding the second, “In fact, they’re priceless.” We’ve known many who’ve stumbled and just given up. “Why, try again,” they might say. But the few who fall and get right back up and move on are “priceless,” indeed. Have you ever stumbled? What did you do next? Never give up; instead get up on move on.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. (Proverbs 24:16)

Excuses

It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one. (George Washington)

It just seems so natural to offer an excuse as soon as we’re caught in a misstep or mistake. Whether we blame our error on someone else, the circumstances, or our faulty equipment, we somehow just don’t want to admit, “Yes, I did it; it’s my mistake.” Others can usually see through the poor excuse; it’s just our pride that blinds us to the truth. 

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses. (Romans 3:19)

Seasons

Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night. (Hal Borland, late naturalist and author)

Seasons change, and most of us are really glad they do. The changes often bring new beauty, refreshing changes in the weather, and new opportunities. Surely, we would tire of the same ole, same ole, day after day and month after month. Even the storms end and winds die down, bringing a refreshing calm. Enjoy what God has given—even the changes!

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14)

Preparation

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.  (Seneca, 1^st century philosopher)

“Good luck” is what we say to someone who’s beginning a competition or starting a new venture. We mean well, of course, and we recognize that the person we’re wishing to have success has spent a lot of time in preparation and practice. And now, the right time has come about, and they’re ready to go. The key is not luck but careful planning and preparing.

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. (Proverbs 24:27)

Comparing

Comparison is the thief of joy. (Attributed to many authors)

Most of us have fallen into the trap of comparing ourselves with others—either thinking we are not as good or maybe that we’re even better. In either case, the comparison really does us no good. A lower self-image is the result of the one view and pride of the other. Better to compare our present condition with what we used to be. Have we grown? If not, how can we learn to grow?

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. (Galatians 6:4)

Learning

The important thing is not to stop questioning. (Albert Einstein, late scientist)

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but, as Einstein suggests, an enquiring mind is one of the key factors in learning and growing. Our children began to learn life’s lessons with their continual “Whys.” When we stop wondering and asking, we will stop learning and begin to lose not only useful information but also our usefulness as well. 

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

The Future

Go for it now. The future is promised to no one. (Wayne Dyer, self-help, best-selling author)

Some people rush from one thing to the next, while others seem reluctant to get started. They’re waiting for just the right moment, or they’re letting circumstances keep them from moving on. After the loss of her husband, a friend said that, though he was very ill, they kept doing things together. She said,” I didn’t want him to die without living.” What a positive way to face life’s difficulties

No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future (Ecclesiastes 10:14).

To God: My future is in your hands (Psalm 31:15).

Truth

There are a dozen views about everything until you know the answer. Then there’s never more than one.” (C. S. Lewis, late British apologist)

That was Lewis’ response to this statement, “I suppose there are two views about everything. Eh? Two views?” Lewis said. We are certainly finding this to be true today, even in terms of theology and Christian experience. And his conclusion emphasizes the importance of finding the right answer. And where we look for truth is critical

Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” (John 14:6; 18:37)

Helping

Heaven helps those who help themselves. (Aesop’s Fables)

That seems like a worthy observation, doesn’t it? We would really prefer to work with someone who needs help and is willing to work hard with us. But sincere charity may move more toward those who cannot help themselves, even they might want to. That’s where “heaven” comes in. God is intent on helping the helpless, and he encourages his followers to do the same.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17).

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). 

A Better Person

They say if you become a better person, you’ll have a better life. (Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons)

Do we need a cartoon character to teach us something this important that we should already know? What does it take to be a better person? Greater talent, intellect, or wealth? We don’t all have great talent, intellect, or wealth, so what are we to do? We all have opportunities to show our better selves when we love our neighbors and reach out to help those in need, great or small.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)