GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 13, 2026

Integrity

Integrity characterizes the entire person, not just part of him. He is righteous and honest through and through. He is not only that inside, but also in outer action. (Kent Hughes, Canadian sports professional)

Some people like to compartmentalize their lives. They want to separate family, work, hobbies—even faith. Integrity, however, must be the basis of every aspect of life, or it isn’t integrity at all. What we really are in our minds and hearts will be reflected in how we live. Are you learning to integrate integrity fully into your life?

. . . our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action (1 John 3:18).

Stop & Think: June 12, 2026

Integrity

One’s mere word should be as trustworthy as a signed agreement attested by legal witnesses. (Curtis Vaughan, late professor and author)

Why are legally complex contracts necessary today when once you needed only a handshake or a man’s promise? That could only be true if the character of those making the contract was beyond reproach. Their reputations guaranteed the fulfillment of their promise. Regrettably, such integrity seems all too scarce in modern society.

Truth and integrity will preserve me while I wait for You (Psalm 25:21).

Stop & Think: June 11, 2026

Integrity

The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty. (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

We should ask ourselves, “How many of those six ‘foundation stones’ are characteristic of my behavior and attitudes?” It might be said that five of them are a pretty good definition of the third one—character. An honest person who demonstrates integrity and loyalty while practicing faith and love would certainly be recognized as a person of sterling character.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Stop & Think: June 10, 2026

Integrity

Leadership is not a skill. It’s character. (Mark Divine, American author)

Divine goes on to say, “Successful, happy, and fulfilled people embody core values such as honor, courage, and commitment to personal excellence.” And he emphasizes that “Real leaders command from the heart.” We seem to think that leadership can be learned by applying rules from a book, but it’s deeper than that. It must come from the integrity of one’s character.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely. . . . The integrity of the upright guides them (Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 11:3).

Stop & Think: June 9, 2026

Integrity

The garden of the heart must be tended with great care. (William Wilberforce, British statesman)

Wilberforce understood that it’s what is inside a person that determines what he does. He also said, “Life is confusing. What was to be our highest pursuit is lost as our hearts and minds become consumed by lesser issues.” Outside influences can affect one’s heart and mind, so recognize that what is essential is a heart of integrity.

As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person (Proverbs 27:19).

Stop & Think: June 8, 2026

Integrity

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. (J. K. Rowling, British author)

We admire talented people—Olympic stars, great orators, and artists of various kinds. We’re often in awe of their accomplishments and think they are the result of their natural talents. But is their athletic or artistic ability the true evidence of their character—who they really are? It isn’t our talents and abilities; it’s how we choose to live that’s most critical.

The integrity of the upright guides them (Proverbs 11:3).

Stop & Think: June 7, 2026

Integrity

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. (Epictetus, 1st century Greek philosopher)

This ancient principle is much needed in the 21st century. After all, what you are pretty well determines what you do. In that sense, being may be more important than doing. If we were to emphasize character development and integrity, perhaps the people of our generation would involve themselves in more worthy, noble pursuits.

Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect (Proverbs 21:21).

Stop & Think: June 6, 2026

Integrity

There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. (Source unknown)

We’re always looking for keys—the key to success, the key to riches, the key to lasting love, and, of course, the key to happiness. Like so many other doors whose keys we’re searching for, there are no magic formulas, no secret signs. The real key is within ourselves. Develop integrity in a relationship with God, and the door to happiness will open wide.

The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure (Isaiah 33:6).

Stop & Think: June 5, 2026

Integrity

The one thing you can give and still keep is your word. (Church sign board)

It used to be said that “a man’s word was his bond,” that is, you could trust a person to do what he promised to do. It’s a question of integrity and character. There isn’t much in life that you can give away and keep it at the same time. But when you give your word and then keep it, everyone wins. So, keep a guard on your lips and speak with honesty and good intent.

But most of all . . . never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no (James 5:12).

Stop & Think: June 4, 2026

Integrity

Integrity and virtue have to be practiced. What we habitually do shapes us. Small habits become lifestyles. (Augustine)

Those statements make it clear that if we want to be people of good character, we must practice moral and ethical living. Our habits truly do indicate what we are really like—more so than what we say. In addition, Augustine said that we are what we love. So our conduct and our emotional attachments are important when it comes to character and integrity.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Stop & Think: June 3, 2026

Integrity

We become leaders of integrity when we learn to serve without concern for recognition. (Scott Morton, fundraiser)

Entrepreneurs who want to be leaders can be energized by a number of incentives. Some may create a profit-making enterprise by introducing a new means of production or a unique strategy. Others are motivated by ambition and self-promotion. Respected leaders, as Morton suggests, however, are more concerned about their contribution to society’s benefit.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself (Philippians 2:3).

Stop & Think: June 2, 2026

Integrity

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion. (Paulo Coehlo, Brazilian author)

It’s probably not true of nations where there’s little media, but in the US, you may hear more rhetoric than you’d like from highly opinionated people whose lives belie their words. It’s then we might think, “Please stop talking so much and show me how you live and act honorably.” Words are important, but only when they are backed up by integrity in one’s behavior.

A person who has a pure and loving heart and speaks kindly will be a friend of the king. . . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak (Proverbs 22:11;  James 1:19).