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
2 Comments
laura
7/15/2021 06:36:22 pm
Love this one Larry. I appreciate your writings so much.
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Larry
7/16/2021 11:54:54 am
Thanks Laura
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AuthorLarry Stoess is an author, public speaker, and urban church planter. He loves telling stories about how dreaming with God will empower people to make old and broken things new again. Larry and a band of friends founded the Church of the Promise in Louisville's Portland neighborhood; The Table, a pay-what-you-can community café; and Promise Housing Plus, a non-profit construction company. He has written about their experience of dreaming with God in his new book: Think Red. Archives
August 2023
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