Stop

Here are some thoughts I first shared with you six years ago. Recently, I found myself needing them. Maybe some of you might need them, also.

I am going to share with you one of the most important words you will ever hear. The word is “stop.” To paraphrase Ecclesiastes, there is a time to go and a time to stop.

Most of the important mind changing moments in my life came only after I stopped. Most of the times when I got up to go after something and went with some clarity and impact were times after I had first stopped.

Of course, I am using “stop” here as shorthand for stop and think, stop and consider,  stop and reflect, stop and mediate, stop and question, or, most important of all, stop and pray. Inactivity itself is not necessarily productive. I am talking about stopping with intent.

Let me mention a few times when we need to stop:

1. When we get hooked emotionally by something someone said and feel the need to throw a barb back at them.
2. When we are just sure that we are just too busy to stop.
3. When gratification of our desires seems so right.
4. When we are charging forward with something, thinking we don’t need  advice and counsel of others.
5. Or on the other hand, when our internal tapes, tell us when are not good enough, not competent, and not capable.

In each of these situations, if we stop, breathe, pray, listen and reflect, even five minutes can be enough time to let our minds be changed so that we make decisions that are wise, spiritual and kingdom-focused.

Tomorrow my car’s brakes will be checked. How are your internal brakes working and how often  are using them to stop?

Focus Scriptures:

Psalms 8:3-4 
³ When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Psalms 119:15-16 
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Proverbs 21:5 
⁵ The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 19:2 
² It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Proverbs 29:20 
²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.