GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 8, 2026

Faith

Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in. (Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. president)

Jackson played a major role at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812, so his advice is worth heeding. Gathering information and making plans are essential, of course, but there comes a time when plans must be put into action. That’s a good lesson for all of us who may hesitate to move forward into the battles of life.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).

Stop & Think: May 7, 2026

Faith

Catastrophes are intended to bring people to God. (Author unknown)

When bad things happen, especially to good people, we often ask, “If there is a God, why does he allow these disasters to occur?” There may be many reasons. Sometimes the bad things are merely the consequences of our wrong choices. At least, such tragic events should awaken us to our need to draw close to God—to renew our faith in His better plan.

We know that God works out everything for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Stop & Think: May 6, 2026

Faith

What you believe must determine how you behave. (Warren Wiersbe, pastor, author)

Why do we do the things we do? What determines our actions and behavior? There may be different influences that cause us to do this or that, but in the end, we most often act on the basis of what we believe. When we think something is true, we’ll move in light of that truth. If, on the other hand, we doubt it, we most likely will not move ahead.

I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge (Psalm 119:66).

Stop & Think: May 5, 2026

Faith

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. (Molière, French playwright)

It’s exciting to win at any contest. But when an underdog team defeats a highly favored opponent, it is even more exhilarating. The fans of the winning team will likely flood the court, and the players will be praised and exalted beyond reason. Such a prospect of winning is a great motivation for tackling even the most difficult problems.

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith (1 John 5:4).

Stop & Think: May 4, 2026

Faith

Fears of what might happen in the future rob us of the joy of now. We miss out. (Jennifer, studio photographer)

Many people seem to be afraid of life. They are often second-guessing themselves, asking “What if . . . ?” Today’s quote also notes, “How easily the what ifs can make us miss out on wonderful things in life.” The worries and fear of the unknown cannot be settled by second-guessing. Finding faith and trusting in God will ease the concerns of the future.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? . . . Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever (Matthew 6:27; Psalm 125:1).

Stop & Think: May 3, 2026

Faith

The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material . . . but rather a legacy of character and faith. (Billy Graham)

Many are working hard to build an estate, accumulating wealth they can pass on to their children. They want their heirs to have advantages they didn’t have when they were younger. That may be a worthy goal, but Graham’s comment speaks of a much greater value. Possessions are temporal; character and faith earn eternal benefits.

Don’t store up treasures here on earth . . . But store your treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).

Stop & Think: May 2, 2026

Faith

Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends. (Harper Lee, author)

There is that similarity between those two terms, of course, but there is a huge difference, too. Prejudice is the result of misinformation or poor logical deductions. Faith, on the other hand, exercises careful thinking, recognizing that there is truth beyond human understanding. Genuine faith is based on a solid foundation of revealed truth (God’s “word, which is truth” John 17:17).

The righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:17).  

Stop & Think: May 1, 2026

Faith

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible. (Anonymous)

This month’s theme is Faith, a word with a variety of meanings, and often very difficult to define. To have faith is to trust in something or someone. Of course, that faith is only as good as the one you’re trusting. The Bible asserts that faith must be placed in an invisible but ever-present God. Such faith is rewarded with unexplainable peace and hope.

Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Stop & Think: April 30, 2026

Hope

Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh, and sing all in a breath. (William Gurnall, 17th century author and clergyman)

Gurnall calls this “the rejoicing of hope.” Even when life brings difficulties into our experience, we can be comforted. We can cry while also having a sense of well-being. Sadness and joy can both be present in the difficult events of life. How? By finding our deepest joy from a strong relationship with God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope (Romans 15:13).

Stop & Think: April 29, 2026

Hope

Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. (Gilda Radner, late American actress and comedian)

Radner also said, “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned the hard way that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end.” She calls this, “Delicious Ambiguity.” Well, life does have its surprises, and things don’t always work out the way we want, so we need to latch on to the strong anchor that God offers.

We have this hope [in God] as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19).

Stop & Think: April 28, 2026

Hope

If man is not made for God, why is he happy only in God? (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French philosopher)

We live in a society that has become more and more godless. Atheists and agnostics often take center stage these days, attracting many non-religious people or dissatisfied “believers.” When life becomes difficult, however, the stress of disappointment and failure may cause many to realize the futility of life without God.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God (Psalm 42:5).

Stop & Think: April 27, 2026

Hope

Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work. (Rita Mae Brown, author)

Creativity, trust, instincts, hope, work—these are very valuable concepts whose meanings cannot be fully grasped in a sentence or two. Creativity is innate; we all have it to some degree. Trust is only as good as its object, so be cautious about instincts. If hope is only a wishful desire, then you had better work hard to achieve your goals.

This is why we work hard . . . for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people (1 Timothy 4:10).