Daily Thought for Thursday, March 3rd

March 3, 2011

Avoid the Noid

Today’s Thought:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.  Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain

Today’s Question

Did you know all criticism is not destructive and all corrections need not cause shame?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

Back several years ago, one of the major pizza delivery companies had an add campaign that encouraged us to ‘avoid the noid.’  The ‘noid’ was a character, which wanted to impede our ability to enjoy a hot fresh pizza in a timely fashion.

Life has many ‘noids’ whose ambition it is to take us down, lesson our effectiveness and steal our joy and rob us of our hope.

The devil is one such ‘noid’ and he has many henchmen.

We need to avoid the ‘noids’ in our lives that try to distract us from seeking and following God’s will for us.

We need to stay away from the ‘noids’ that criticize and put us down senselessly without merit or foundation for their assaults on our character and person. 

We need to keep away from the ‘noids’ that want us to fail and fall short.

But in so doing, we also need to remember that all criticism, instruction and correction are not evil and if appropriately taken, heeded and applied can foster growth, produce benefit and basically can help us grow and become better persons.

All those who see our faults, failing and weaknesses are not necessarily ‘noids.’  They only become ‘noids’ if there purpose is intentionally aimed at hurting our causing us harm.  God often places ‘anti-noids’ in our path to not just annoy us but rather to inspire, encourage and assist us in becoming more and better than what we currently are.

As Christians our goal should always be to improve, get better and become more Christ-like; and in order to achieve this we often need some help to get moving in the right direction.

So while avoiding those pesky ‘noids;’ be willing to embrace and listen to the ‘anti-noids’ God may place in your path.

If you have trouble discerning the difference, ask God to help you.  I’m sure He will.

Today’s Verses:

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Proverbs 1:1-10

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

          Proverbs 24:4-6

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to discern between good critics and bad and help me listen and allow your Spirit to take what I hear and apply it as needed.