GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 5, 2021

Doing Right

It is not your business to succeed (no one can be sure of that) but to do right: when you have done so, the rest lies with God. (C. S. Lewis, late British writer)

Lewis is surely not speaking against success, but he does make an important statement. In a time when “anything goes” and everybody’s opinion is considered to be “truth” for him, it’s critical to pursue what is right according to an accepted standard of right and wrong. Success in an endeavor which is not right in reality is no success at all.

Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Stop & Think: March 4, 2021

Trust and Obey

We do not have to understand to trust. (Mark Penfold, military chaplain)

“Why?” That’s the question so often asked when an unwanted instruction is given. Children repeatedly ask “Why?” Sometimes we may just don’t want to do what we’re asked. At other times, it’s simply because we don’t understand the reason behind what we’re being told to do. Penfold’s wise counsel is helpful. If we are willing followers of someone we trust, we just do it.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Stop & Think: March 3, 2021

Leaders III

Leaders bring followers with them even when the journey’s difficulties seem insurmountable. (Linda Brumbaugh, blog writer)

A good leader is well aware of the obstacles that his followers might have to overcome to be successful. He or she prepares the cohort of workers for those problems and encourages them when difficulties arise. Like a general remaining with his troops in the most difficult trials, the successful manager is with his people, motivating and spurring them on to success.

The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following. (Proverbs 14:28)

Stop & Think: March 2, 2021

Leaders II

The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been. (Henry Kissinger, late government executive)

Many people have ambitions and hope to make a worthy contribution in their work or in society in general. Some of us can’t really imagine where that might be or what it might involve. A really strong leader, however, determines the strengths of his followers, what they could accomplish, and provides the means for them to climb to heights they never imagined.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (Proverbs 28:2)

Stop & Think: March 1, 2021

Leaders I

A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be. (Rosalynn Carter, former first lady of the U.S.)

Whether it’s a tourist guide, a theater usher, or someone merely giving directions, the goal is to help people arrive at their desired destination. Almost anyone can do that. But Carter suggests that there is an even greater level of leadership. Taking followers to a level of achievement that they perhaps hadn’t even imagined demonstrates the great skill of a good leader.

Without wise leadership, a nation falls. . . If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Proverbs 11:14; Romans 12:8)

Stop & Think: February 28, 2021

Learning

Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know. (Pema Chodron, Tibetan nun)

We often try hard to eliminate life’s most persistent annoyances. Whether it’s a co-worker, a fellow student, or even a family member, that person’s peculiar and continual mannerism or habit just drives us to distraction. How do we handle them? Chodron seems to teach that, rather than avoid them, we should discover what we can learn from them to make our own work more effective.

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

Stop & Think: February 27, 2021

Success

Success is built on the ability to do better than good enough. (Woody Allen, actor)

After completing a difficult but not necessarily a well-done task, some people might say, “Well, that’s good enough.” Such a work ethic will probably not lead to a promotion. It is true that we can’t always do things perfectly, but we shouldn’t do less than our best if we hope to achieve a worthy result. It benefits others and enhances our reputation.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Stop & Think: February 26, 2021

Gratitude III

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. (Melody Beattie, American author)

If gratitude is “the greatest of virtues” and “a key ingredient to joy” (see previous quotes), it’s good to recognize that it knows no time limits. As Beattie suggests, it has value in all of our life story. It should certainly give us a great sense of satisfaction to know that our expression of gratitude has influenced others yesterday and today and will continue as we remain thankful.

[God’s people] share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. (Psalm 112:9)

Stop & Think: February 25, 2021

Gratitude II

Gratitude is a key ingredient to joy. (Amy Weatherly, writer)

That’s Weatherly’s conclusion to this thought: “Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key ingredient to gratitude.” It’s interesting, isn’t it, that the way you view life and your surroundings can determine your sense of well-being and joy?

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. (Proverbs 3:13)

Stop & Think: February 24, 2021

Gratitude I

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. (Marcus Tullius Cicero, 1st century BC Roman statesman)

Today—in the middle of winter—we may feel a bit grumpy, hating the cold and longing for spring. That frame of mind will not make for a pleasant day. So, pause and think of the good things God has given—a home, health, a job, friends. Even if you don’t have the best of everything, take time to be grateful for what you do have; it may change your attitude.

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

Stop & Think: February 23, 2021

Happiness II

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes. (Andrew Carnegie, 19th– 20th century industrialist)

Happiness often depends upon our frame of mind in the midst of current circumstances. Heeding Carnegie’s observation may help us control those situations. Choose to think clearly about your activity, choose to be energetic, and pursue plans that will fill your present and future with bright hope.

The hopes of the godly result in happiness. (Proverbs 10:28)

Stop & Think: February 22, 2021

Happiness I

Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. (George Washington)

Poet Thomas Gray, wrote, “Ignorance is bliss.” It may be true that if you do not know about something, you do not worry about it. But that might be a dangerous attitude to live by. Our first US president points us to a healthy antidote to ignorance. Wherever you are, learning will improve your life and will certainly be a guide to finding happiness.

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. (Proverbs 3:18)