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Category: Problems

Better Safe than Sorry

Better Safe than Sorry

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Better Safe than SorryA caution sign warns us:

  • Slow down.
  • Be careful.
  • Watch for danger ahead.

So does the expression better safe than sorry.

Taking precautions now may prevent regrets later.

How many times have we taken actions we should not?

We know better, but we ignore the warning signs.

  • We drive too fast.
  • We eat too much.
  • We exercise too little.
  • We ignore our doctor’s advice.

All can result in tragedy.

Tragedy may be prevented with a little extra caution.

  • Drive slower.
  • Eat less.
  • Exercise more.
  • Follow medical advice.

Yet, we people are stubborn creatures, aren’t we? We blunder along. We think It’s my life, and I’ll do as I please.

It is our life. We have only one. Let’s make it the best one possible — better safe than sorry.

“Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:33 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for another great suggestion.

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Stand Firm

Stand Firm

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Stand FirmThe lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia reminds us to stand firm.

Built in an area of great beauty, its original purpose had nothing to do with beauty. Like all lighthouses, it had work to do.

  • Stand tall enough to be seen by ships at sea.
  • Spread its light so it could be seen at night.
  • Monitor weather conditions.
  • Warn ships of danger.

Because of their locations, lighthouses face attacks from water, wind, and erosion.

Their personal dangers never keep them from doing their job.

They stand firm – never moving, never quitting.

Because of personal differences, people sometimes disagree.

We can handle those disagreements three ways.

  1. Compromise.
  2. Accept the other person’s position.
  3. Stand firm.

Either of the first two will work, if they cause no harm. I usually prefer those choices.

However, if harm will result from the first two, we must stand firm. Regardless of the consequences, we must refuse to change our thought or actions.  We must not move. We must not quit.

Like lighthouses, we have work to do.

  • Make the truth visible.
  • Apply it to current conditions.
  • Warn others when they approach danger.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV).

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Rock Bottom

Rock Bottom

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Rock BottomHave you ever hit rock bottom, when you have gone as low as you can go?

Rock bottom may mean you have lost any or all of the following, plus more:

  • Money
  • Home
  • Job
  • Friends
  • Family
  • Self-respect
  • Energy
  • Desire to live

Our suffering may be no fault of our own. However, we often hit rock bottom because of poor choices. In addition, we may have to hit the bottom before we see the need to change.

At the bottom, we realize we can’t keep making the same mistakes. Like hiking to the bottom of Bryce Canyon, going down is easier than going up. Yet, in order to survive, we must get out. So one step at a time, we slowly make our way to the top.

Once we make it, we look back and understand how far we have come.

At the same time, poor choices may continue to tempt us. When that happens, how do we keep from hitting rock bottom again?

  • Remember where we were and where we want to be.
  • Don’t go places that will tempt us.
  • Don’t spend time with people who will tempt us.
  • Find support from people who have also come up from the bottom.
  • Base our lives on a foundation that is as solid as a rock.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 18:2 NIV).

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Out on a Limb

Out on a Limb

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Out on a LimbHave you seen the cartoon of a man sitting out on a limb? He’s sawing off the limb between himself and the tree. We laugh because we know that when the limb falls, so will he. Yet, he remains unaware.

The bear cub in this photo may not be out on a limb yet. However, we know if he tries to crawl out any of those tiny limbs, he too will fall.

We often fail to see the dangers around us.

Like the man and the bear cub, we cause many of those dangers ourselves.

  • Marriages fall apart because of harmless flirting.
  • Addictions result from trying just one drink or drug.
  • Bankruptcies occur when we can no longer pay all those little charges.

If we never take that first dangerous step, we don’t have to worry about falling.

Let’s take preventive steps instead.

  • Weigh the good and bad.
  • Make well-informed decisions.
  • Set reasonable limits in every part of our lives.

Let’s not put ourselves at risk. Let’s choose not to go out on a limb.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40 NIV).

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Bottom Line

Bottom Line

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Bottom Line-SaleThe bottom line on a financial statement shows the net profit or loss.

Therefore, when we ask, “What’s the bottom line?” we want to know the final cost or gain.

Businesses often advertise a low cost per month rather than the total cost. Two good questions to ask:

  1. What will this cost if we pay the total now?
  2. How much extra will this cost if we make payments?

Most of us like to buy items on sale. However, if we use our credit card, we need to pay the total bill when it arrives. If not, we may pay more than the item’s original price. Our bargain suddenly becomes a burden.

The bottom line applies to more than finances.

What are the costs and gains in our:

  • Behavior
  • Relationships
  • Jobs
  • Education
  • Spiritual life

Many choices are not worth the cost. Others are worth any cost.

In some countries, a decision to follow Jesus may involve great loss:

  • Rejection by family and friends
  • Denial of educational opportunities
  • Job loss
  • Imprisonment
  • Death

Yet, many people choose to follow Jesus anyway. They refuse to deny their faith. For them, eternity with God outweighs any temporary problems during this short life.

In every decision, count the cost. What’s the bottom line?

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for suggesting this expression.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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What a Hoot

What a Hoot

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What a Hoot

Isn’t that funny? “How amusing.” “That makes me laugh.” All these are nice, polite ways to say, “What a hoot!”

In my mind, what a hoot implies extra energy and fun.

Can’t you imagine the following?

  • Deep belly laughs
  • Body doubled over
  • Hands thrown in the air
  • Tears rolling
  • Embarrassing snorts

This group of ladies did not create the expression what a hoot. However, they certainly know how to live it. They understand that fun and laughter are not luxuries. Everyone needs them for a healthy and happy life.

Because their work involved a constant flow of problems, they took occasional breaks.

  • Sometimes they talked.
  • Sometimes they cried.
  • Sometimes they laughed to keep from crying.

They learned to look for those funny moments that happen every day. I know, because I worked with them.

We all need to laugh more.

Consider the benefits.

  • Laughing at ourselves and with others helps us through difficult situations.
  • Remembering fun times provides comfort in our sorrow.
  • Laughter gives us energy to finish a tiring job.
  • Playing harmless jokes on one another makes friendships stronger.
  • Laughter is contagious. If another person laughs, we usually laugh too.

Just thinking about this makes us smile, doesn’t it?  Now, that’s a hoot!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).

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My Cup Runs Over

My Cup Runs Over

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My Cup Runs OverTea, coffee, milk – whatever the beverage – my cup runs over quite often.

I fail to pay attention, and I pour more than my cup can hold. I can make some big messes.

My cup runs over in other ways as well.

With these, I don’t make a mess. Instead, I find I’m abundantly blessed with:

  • More than enough to meet my daily needs
  • The love of friends and family
  • The opportunity to share that love and those resources with others

Often, we apply this expression to big moments or benefits. I find, however, that my cup runs over more often from the little things, such as:

  • Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets
  • Children’s laughter
  • Fresh garden vegetables
  • Hugs, with arms or words
  • Quiet moments alone or with someone I love

During hard times, when my cup’s almost empty, I recall those experiences.

I also rest in the knowledge of God’s love and care. Now, that makes my cup run over!

This phrase comes from Psalm 23, one of the best known psalms (songs) in the Bible.

“My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever” (Psalm 23:5-6 NKJV).

What about you? What makes your cup run over? Please comment.

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Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps

Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps

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Pull Yourself Up by Your BootstrapsTo pull yourself up by your bootstraps (bootlaces) sounds impossible. With your boots on your feet, how can you lift yourself by the straps?

You can’t. Yet many people lift themselves from what appear to be impossible circumstances every day.

My parents and many of their generation:

  • Grew up poor
  • Had parents die young
  • Received little formal education

That sounds like the perfect formula for failure. Nevertheless, most of them live happy, productive lives. They pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and:

  • Did what they had to do to make a living
  • Loved and provided for their spouses and children
  • Returned to school as adults or became self-taught
  • Spent what they had, not what they hoped to earn

They never whined about their losses. Instead, they did their best each day and helped others do the same. No one picked them up and carried them. They did it themselves, as they said, “with the good Lord’s help.”

Life’s not always fair. They accepted that reality. They made the best of their circumstances.

I salute them, one and all.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

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Straighten Up and Fly Right

Straighten Up and Fly Right

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Straighten Up and Fly Right 1When my parents told me to straighten up and fly right, they were not telling me I had poor posture. Neither were they saying I should suddenly sprout wings or buy a plane ticket. Instead, they were ordering me to improve my behavior … now!

If they were extremely upset, the full sentence was usually, “Young lady, you’d better straighten up and fly right … and I don’t mean maybe!” I knew I was in trouble as soon as I heard, “Young lady.”

I had pushed all the wrong buttons or become too big for my britches. My parents would tolerate no further misbehavior.

  • I knew what rule had been broken.
  • They knew my actions were no accident.
  • Humor, hugs, kisses, and innocent looks would not help.

I needed to obey, the sooner the better.

Their warning usually achieved its goal. I tried to straighten up and fly right. If I succeeded, I avoided their wrath. If I ignored them, I suffered. What I failed to understand at that time was that my parents were trying to teach me:

  • How to succeed in life
  • How to avoid difficulties and danger
  • How to get along with others.
  • How to be my best

As adults, we may not have anyone telling us to straighten up and fly right. That does not mean we don’t need to do so.

It’s never too late. Listen and learn.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. (1 Peter 1:14 NIV)

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Push All the Wrong Buttons

Push All the Wrong Buttons

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Push ButtonsAs a person challenged by any kind of electronics, I often push all the wrong buttons. Regardless of the gadget, I can mess it up.

  • Cell phones
  • Laptops
  • Notebooks
  • Personal computers
  • Televisions remotes
  • Cameras
  • Microwaves

If it has buttons, I have problems. Nevertheless, I’m learning. I know I need help.

  • I seek guidance from people with more knowledge.
  • I review online tutorials.
  • I read my instruction book.
  • If all else fails, I seek help from the manufacturer – I go to the source.

Sadly, we have the same problem in relationships. We often push all the wrong buttons of other people.

  • We disobey rules.
  • We anger or upset one another.
  • We seek our own pleasure, regardless of who we hurt.

Let’s learn in relationships. Let’s recognize we need help.

  • Listen to wiser, more mature people.
  • Study ways to improve.
  • Read the Bible, the greatest instruction book in the world.
  • Go to our Creator – the source of all wisdom.

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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