GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 21, 2022

Perfection

Perfection intimidates; compassion inspires. (Lysa TerKeurst, author)

Are you a perfectionist? Everything on your desk has to be in perfect order and alignment. You shudder if you make the slightest mistake in speech or writing—or when anyone else does. It would no doubt improve our relationships if we could learn to express compassion, not criticism, toward others. And TerKeurst also advises: “Give yourself permission to not be perfect.”

Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Stop & Think: January 20, 2022

Humor

One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter. (Francoise Sagan, late French screenwriter)

A little, hard-to-suppress giggle can sometimes relieve the tension of a potentially unpleasant conversation. Even in the midst of a strong dispute over some personal disagreement, a funny pun or gesture might just create a more agreeable atmosphere to continue a profitable discussion. A little humor can really go a long way.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. …a time to cry and a time to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4)

Stop & Think: January 19, 2022

Values

What is worth most is often valued least. (Aesop’s Fables)

Give a toddler a gold piece and a red balloon, and he will almost certainly choose the balloon to play with. He hasn’t developed a sense of values yet—and we don’t expect him to. But for a young star athlete, the choice between a promised rise in a short-term sporting event and a secure career that will bring rewards only after steady longtime effort will be a good test of his values.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. (1 Corinthians 3:13)

Stop & Think: January 18, 2022

Hard Times

Adversity is what we look for, because in adversity there is opportunity. (Lou Holtz, noted football coach)

Holtz’ comment is another counter-intuitive idea. Who, after all, really looks for adversity? Most of us try to avoid hardship as much as we can, and we don’t often respond to it well. But, if we look back to some of life’s difficult times, we might realize that it was at those times we learned not only to cope well but to move forward as we grasped a new opportunity to advance.

Though the Lord gave you adversity . . .  he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20).

Stop & Think: January 17, 2022

True Friendship

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Today we honor a man who gave his life in the pursuit of tolerance and equality, virtues that continue to need emphasis and support. His statement is a reflection, too, of historical eras when regular citizens, who felt safe, failed to speak out about injustice to others. “See something, say something” might be wise words when we consider the inalienable rights we enjoy.

There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. (Psalm 106:3)

Stop & Think: January 16, 2022

Contentment

To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. (From a Norman Rockwell painting)

At first reading, that doesn’t sound right, does it? Most people seem unable to be happy unless they have what they want—and when they want it. The more we have the happier we should be, the world tells us. But we only have to look around us to see that having more doesn’t guarantee happiness. Learning to do with less is a great step toward a sense of contentment.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  . . .  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with . . . plenty or little. (Philippians 4:11-12)

Stop & Think: January 15, 2022

Direction

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. (Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher, 6th-century BC)

That sounds very much like the modern axiom: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” In both cases, it’s improper thinking or maybe the lack of thinking altogether. It’s wise to know where you’re going and set off in the right direction. Likewise, it’s important to discover the best way to achieve a desired result.

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:6)

Stop & Think: January 14, 2022

Friends #2

When friends stop being frank and useful to each other, the whole world loses some of its radiance. (Anatole Broyard, 20th-century American writer)

Being a good friend isn’t always easy. While we tend to overlook the faux pas of our dear companions, we sometimes may need to confront them with the problem and try to help them resolve it. That’s where grace and truth need to be mixed in equal proportion. Be truthful but also show concern and grace to help a friend grow.

The godly give good advice to their friends . . . Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 12:26; 27:6)

Stop & Think: January 13, 2022

Friends #1

Friendship is a pretty full-time occupation if you really are friendly with somebody. (Source unknown)

How many “friends” do you have on Facebook? How well do you know them? Are you regularly being asked by someone you barely know—or even a complete stranger—to befriend him or her? Social media may have broadened our contact base. But it’s the longtime friends that we really value.

A friend is always loyal . . . a real friend sticks closer than a brother . . . As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:17).

Stop & Think: January 12, 2022

Genius

I saw the angel in the marble, and I carved until I set him free. (Michelangelo)

Artists, whether in sculpture, oil painting, music, or some other kind of genius, have a special insight into their “angel.” It sets them apart from other dabblers in the arts. An even more important gift may be the ability to see potential in people, what they could offer if they were only trained and encouraged. We would all do well to find and develop such talent.

I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you. (Exodus 31:6)

Stop & Think: January 11, 2022

Others #2

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. (John Bunyan, 17th-century author of The Pilgrim’s Progress)

The Bible teaches that when you give to the needy or perform your good deeds in public to be seen by others, it’s not a worthy effort. We might be inclined to do good things for public recognition or to somehow have some favors we can call in, should the need ever arise. But, giving to those who cannot repay indicates a pure heart of charity and is honoring to God.

Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)

Stop & Think: January 10, 2022

Others #1

It’s hard to feel bad about yourself when you’re doing something good for someone else. (John Maxwell, leadership speaker and author)

In a society where it’s often “Me first” and “I’ll do it my way,” we can lose sight of what creates a sense of good self-esteem. Until we become aware of others, we will become self-centered and, very likely, depressed. Maxwell’s conclusion could be very helpful: “Serving others and working to add value to them will lift your spirits in a way that nothing else will.”

For you have been called to live in freedom . . .  Use your freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)