Stop & Do

​Earlier this week I wrote a post called, Stop It! It was a self–disclosing confession about my anger issues and a ten–point plan on how to stop being so short-tempered.  There’s a saying that goes, “Misery loves company!” I found the same to be true with anger. It was good for my soul—in a sad sort–of–way—to learn that 70% of all Americans report to be angry everyday. I wrote the post four days ago and I’ve only been angry four times . . . makes me wonder if there’s a flaw in my plan?
 
Here’s the flaw: Plans to modify behavior that focus only on stopping the behavior seldom work. I believe “Do Plans” are better. Ask any alcoholic; cold–turkey plans to stop drinking seldom produce the result they want. Couple the plan to stop drinking with twelve things to do and the likelihood of success increases.
 
I think a lot of people shy away from Christianity because they think the whole enterprise is about sin management—stopping bad behavior. Following Jesus is much more than sin management. Sure, Jesus challenges us to stop sinning; but more importantly he invites us to truly live. He wants us to “Do Life” in a way that increases our righteousness, joy and peace. Here are a few examples of his Stop and Do strategy from his Sermon on the Mount:

STOP   practicing your righteousness in front of people
DO       give to the needy in secret
 
STOP   praying like the hypocrites, using big words to impress  others
DO       go into your prayer closet, close the door and pray to God who is unseen

STOP   storing up treasures for yourself on earth, where moths destroy & thieves steal
DO       store up treasures in heaven
 
STOP   worrying about your life, what you’ll eat and drink or the clothes you’ll wear
DO       seek first the kingdom of God and everything you need, will be given
 
STOP   judging others
DO       take the speck out of your own eye

​If the 70% of us—who get angry everyday—want more joy and less stress maybe we should follow the way of Jesus and add some whimsical, life-giving activity to our Stop It List.  We can call it our “Stop and Do List.” To help you get started on your list I’ll share a few from mine:

​STOP   complaining when my computer doesn’t cooperate
DO       be grateful for the small things that are going right
 
STOP   rushing from one appointment to another
DO       slow down and savor the beauty around me
 
STOP   looking the other way, pretending I don’t see the homeless man on the corner
DO       introduce myself to the guy with the cardboard sign and ask his name
 
STOP   talking or thinking about something else when others are speaking
DO       listen to people when they’re talking and notice the color of their eyes
 
STOP   looking for the shortest checkout line at the grocery store
DO       take the longer line and use the extra time to pray for the cashier
 
STOP   saying mean things to the telemarketer
DO       hang up gently and pray they get a real job