GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 2, 2022

Perseverance

The human mind always makes progress, but it is progress in spirals. (Madame de Staël, 18th-19th century French political theorist)

Whether it’s writing a paper or creating a new tool, we want our progress to be a straight line upward to success. In real life, however, it rarely works that way. The essay or thesis requires a lot of research, often leading to dead ends and starting over. Looking back on a completed project, we’ll see there were many turns on the way, and we’re glad we stuck with it.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)

 

Stop & Think: March 1, 2022

Success

There is only one success . . . to be able to spend your life in your own way. (Christopher Morley, 20th-century American journalist)

The American mantra seems to be “I did it my way.” It might be good to ask if “my way” is always the best way. My way may bring a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, but what are its ultimate consequences personally and socially? Surely, we’ve grown past the childish “me first” attitude. Jesus had a better idea for living a significant life.

Whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:26-28)

Stop & Think: February 28, 2022

Friendship

What is a friend? A single soul in two bodies. (Aristotle, 4th century BC Greek philosopher)

Mencius, a Chinese philosopher of about the same period, put it this way: “Friendship is one mind in two bodies.” That is a really close friendship. We probably have a lot of friends, but only a few will be that close—people we can fully reveal ourselves to and trust completely. With such intimate friendships, we can both recognize each other’s faults and lovingly correct them.

A friend is always loyal… There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24)

Stop & Think: February 27, 2022

Today

Nothing is worth more than this day. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 18th and 19th century German poet and critic)

Some people have a nostalgic nature, and they’re always longing for the “good ole days.” Others are intent on planning and yearning for the future and a better life. In either case, as Goethe implies, they are missing out on the opportunity of today. There’s nothing we can do about the past, and the best we can do for the future is plan and pray. And those are today’s priorities.

We are the people [God] watches over… If only you would listen to his voice today! (Psalm 95:7). 

Stop & Think: February 26, 2022

Worrying

What worries you masters you. (John Locke, 17th century English philosopher)

Haven’t you found Locke’s observation to be true? No matter how many projects or activities we may be involved in, our mind constantly turns to the one that bothers us. The difficulty we’re facing just doesn’t seem to go away, and we fret about it continually. No doubt, we need encouragement from others or, even better, look to our spiritual resources for help.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

Stop & Think: February 25, 2022

Risk

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. (T. S. Eliot, 20th century British literary critic)

Lots of people avoid risks at almost any cost. They carefully plan every move to avoid the least possibility of danger or harm. Others seem to have no fear. They climb mountains, swim oceans, do daredevil stunts. Eliot encourages the kind of risk-taking that is a careful adventure beyond the status quo to discover one’s creative abilities and expand knowledge and experience.

I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me… (Acts 20:24)

Stop & Think: February 24, 2022

Salvation

You cannot save people, you can only love them. (Anais Nin, 20th century essayist)

Nin is thinking not about physical rescue, because it is possible to save someone’s life, and we rejoice when we hear of it happening. She is more likely thinking of our inability to change the character and persona of someone who seems to be beyond help. It’s a spiritual question, and we have to look beyond the physical and emotional to offer permanent help.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it… For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. (Luke 9:24; 19:10)

Stop & Think: February 23, 2022

Pride

I am an instrument strung but preferring to play itself because it thinks it knows the tune better than the Musician. (C. S. Lewis, late British scholar)

That’s Lewis’ confession of his own pride. Some of us find it easy to criticize others or to offer suggestions about how a musical or written work could be improved. In doing so, we may unintentionally, perhaps, belittle the scholarship or artistry of another. Really, in thinking our ideas are better than theirs, we are giving in to our own pride.

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor… The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished (Proverbs 29:23; 16:5)

Stop & Think: February 22, 2022

Liberty

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. (George Washington)

When a nation—or an individual, for that matter—is set free from bondage, the first breaths of freedom may be overwhelming. But that’s only a beginning. That newfound freedom can continue to grow into a rich sense of liberty, but unless it is protected, it may face a quick demise. Guarding it carefully will enhance its growth in a person and a nation.

Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Stop & Think: February 21, 2022

Success

Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures. (Vincent Van Gogh)

If, as suggested in yesterday’s “Stop and Think,” we do respond to failure by getting up, we have at least the hope of ultimate success. Van Gogh acknowledges that “a whole string of failures” can result in something very profitable. It’s what we learn from those fiascos that will help us move forward with fewer failings and more successes.

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful… Please, Lord, please give us success. (Psalm 90:17; 118:25)

Stop & Think: February 20, 2022

Defeat

What we do when defeat stares us in the face is the real touchstone of character. (Orison Swett Marden, 19th and 20th century American author)

At one time or another probably every active person has, as Marden put it, had “defeat stare us in the face.” It’s a daunting experience, isn’t it? No one likes to fail—not even to lose at checkers—but how we address those moments will determine ultimate success or failure. We can “cry over spilt milk” or wipe it up and move on. Trite, perhaps, but a good analogy for overcoming defeat.

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small . . . The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:10, 16)

Stop & Think: February 19, 2022

Failure

Ninety-nine percent (99%) of failures come from people who make excuses. (George Washington Carver, 20th century American scientist)

When confronted with a failed project, most people are likely, as Carver says, to make excuses. Comedian Flip Wilson used to say, “The devil made me do it.” Why is it so hard to admit that we’ve made a mistake or failed to fulfill our assignment? The first step to overcoming our errors is just to admit them. Then, we can begin to start over with good intentions and confidence.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)