GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

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)

Stop & Think: February 21, 2021

Work

Choose a job you love. You will never have to work a day in your life. (Confucius, ancient Chinese philosopher)

Author Pearl Buck said it this way: “To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” Encouraging platitudes, but are they really true? If we enjoy our work, it will be easier to go to the job every day. Still, there will be days when the work is really hard, and we’re not finding much joy in it. We can find satisfaction, however, in a job well done at the work we’ve chosen.

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. . . To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. (Ecclesiastes 2:10; 5:19)

Stop & Think: February 20, 2021

Others II

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself the other for helping others. (Audrey Hepburn, late actress)

Senior citizens are often told that age is just a number. That platitude doesn’t really make the aging process any easier, but Hepburn’s observation can be a great encouragement. When our focus isn’t on ourselves and what might be difficult circumstances, we can find fulfillment in offering help and support to others.

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. (1 Peter 4:11)

Stop & Think: February 19, 2021

Others I

The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves. (Helen Keller, late author, speaker)

You have to marvel at the persistence and achievement of Helen Keller, deaf and blind. She not only overcame her handicaps with a marvelous ability to communicate, but she showed greatness in her concern for others. We could all imitate her in making it our purpose to “bring cheer to others.” As a result, we will most like discover “a happier life for ourselves.”

Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Stop & Think: February 18, 2021

Simplicity

The best toys in the world—like the best times—are the simplest. (James Emery White)

Emery adds that, in truth, the best toys are also “the most available.” He reports on a survey that concluded that the five best-loved toys are: stick, box, string, cardboard tube, dirt. This may be why when little children open their Christmas or birthday gifts, they soon turn to playing with the wrapping paper or the gift boxes. There’s probably a lesson there about simplifying life.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6:8)

Stop & Think: February 17, 2021

Generosity

It is in giving that we receive. (Francis of Assisi)

The Bible quotes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). And Francis tells us why. When you give a gift to someone in need, you take joy in their grateful response. Not only have you helped them materially, but you’ve given them a glimmer of hope and encouragement. You can find great joy in being generous with all that God has given you.

But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. (Isaiah 32:8)