Throughout your entire life, how many times do you think the word “stop” has been said or directed at you? Stop smacking, stop leaving your room a mess, stop arguing with your sister, stop talking so much, stop embarrassing me, stop being so noisy, stop being so annoying, and so on. Stop being a crybaby, stop acting like an idiot, stop crying, stop being so sensitive, stop being so ungrateful, stop being so greedy. It’s not human nature to enjoy being told to stop something. In fact, if we hear the word “stop” enough in our childhood, we can develop a resistance to the word that may have a negative impact on our lives. It might have made us resistant to being told what to do, affecting how we work with people and authority. The word “stop” being overused in our childhood can also cause us to go in the opposite direction, and so we continue the message that was ingrained in us to stop whatever we think should not be in our life.
“Stop” can sound like a command or directive that can come across as abrupt or authoritative, potentially feeling negative to the recipient. For example, Stop talking! may sound harsh. Stop also has a preventive use. It can be used to prevent harm or negative outcomes and can be seen as positive. For instance, Stop smoking is aimed at promoting better health.
In some contexts, “stop” may simply indicate a pause or break, without any negative connotation. For example, Stop here for a moment can be neutral or even positive if it leads to a beneficial outcome.
In working to help people resolve their problems almost every day, I rarely use the word “stop.” I see that people use it so much it becomes ineffective. “I need to stop eating so much,” “I need to stop buying Blue Bell.” You get the point. Also, by saying, “I need to pray more, read more, exercise more,” and so on, it indicates something else needs to be stopped. To me, the word “stop” or the insinuation of it needs to be completely eliminated from our life. Although there are a few occasions that the word “stop” is used in the New Testament, I am not trying to say to eliminate it completely. For example:
In John 5:14 (NIV), Jesus says to the healed man at the pool of Bethesda: “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Here, “stop” is used as a directive to cease sinful behavior. In the following scriptures, the word “stop” is implied and obviously necessary: In Ephesians 4:28 (NIV), Paul instructs: “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Here, “stop” is implied in the instruction to cease stealing.
In Titus 1:11 (NIV), Paul talks about false teachers: “They must be silenced because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.” The idea of stopping false teachings is evident.
So, what’s my point? My point is, Christianity is not about stopping things. It’s not about cleaning yourself up. It’s not about making yourself a better person. It’s about love, grace, peace and mercy. And that love, grace, peace and mercy need to begin with you. Can you love yourself the way you are right now, even with your shortcomings? Can you forgive yourself for the bad decisions you’ve made in your past? Can you be at peace with who you are and where you are in life today? Can you accept the little person you are inside and love that little person without judgment? You are a spirit having a human experience. Chill! We all have a body that rebels against the things of God, but we do not have the power to conquer it.
If you’re trying to tame your flesh, you’re missing the whole reason why Jesus died for you. There’s no peace, joy, or satisfaction in trying to stop the flesh. Paul says in Romans it’s virtually impossible. Our only hope is in the grace of God and His mercy. If you have things in your life that you would like to stop, I encourage you to cry out to the Lord and let Him know that you are not capable and that you need His strength. Conquer your problems, your failures, your bad decisions, and your weaknesses through Him.
Your happiness is not in other people; it’s inside you. Seek happiness within yourself. Underestimating yourself is the clay saying to the potter, “Why have you made me this way?” Believe in your abilities and embrace the resilience God put in your spirit.
Your setbacks and failures are now an opportunity to learn, grow, and share.
Your past is your story that can set someone else free from shame and guilt. Embrace the lessons learned.
The future is not promised, and the unknown can be scary, but we do have this moment right now to embrace with appreciation, praise, and thankfulness.
Trust not only in your ability to handle whatever comes, but realize you’re not alone. He will get you through whatever comes. Enjoy life. Enjoy those around you. Enjoy your food. Absorb the beauty of our Creator. It’s an amazing thing to be alive, and it should be embraced with joy.
