GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 9, 2025

Together 1

In joined hands there is still some token of hope; in the clenched fist, none. (Victor Hugo, 19th century French author)

Whether it is in 19th century France or 21st century America, those words are a valid observation of life as it really is. A clenched fist, whether personal statement of dissatisfaction or in a crowd of protestors, accomplishes very little. But, whether it’s many or only a few, when hands are joined together in efforts to serve and help, much good can be achieved.

Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose (Philippians 2:2).

Stop & Think: June 8, 2025

Kindness

Kindness. It costs nothing, but means everything. (Source unknown)

Author Ashleigh Brilliant said it well. “Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.” Talk show host, Chelsea Hart goes even further: “Every act of kindness grows the spirit and strengthens the soul.” When you show kindness, you are blessing someone, and you are blessed in turn. It’s a win-win all around.

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you (Proverbs 16:24; 3:3a).

Stop & Think: June 7, 2025

Life Plans

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. (George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright)

Shaw’s counsel may be helpful if you are trying to “find yourself,” but there’s something even more significant to pursue. Turn your search toward finding and knowing the God who gave you life and wants to make you a completely new person. Through a relationship with his son, Jesus this “new you” will discover a life that’s fulfilled with purpose and joy.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Stop & Think: June 6, 2025

Work

When work is a pleasure, life is a joy. When work is a duty, life is slavery (Maxim Gorky, 19th-20th century Russian writer)

Is 9-to-5 (or any other work schedule) a chore for you? Do you dread going to work every day, looking forward to the day’s challenges? No matter how difficult or easy the job, your attitude about your work may be the most important key to your ease of mind and success. Start with joy and anticipation.

I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. . . So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work (Ecclesiastes 2:10; 3:22).

Stop & Think: June 5, 2025

Hope 2

I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best. (Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman)

No doubt, this would be the attitude of any president, prime minister, or king at just about any time during their tenure. Hoping for the best is certainly not enough while carrying such heavy responsibilities. A leader’s hope is based on wise preparation, coupled with a constant state of readiness, and strong faith in trustworthy help.

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you (Psalm 25:5).

Stop & Think: June 4, 2025

Hope 1

Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment. (Napoleon Bonaparte, 18th-19th century French statesman)

Author Dale Carnegie enlarges on the idea: “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Whether it’s a matter of unrequited love or failure to complete a task, hope is part of what’s required to achieve your goals. Seek help from others and trust God for that needed hope.

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

Stop & Think: June 3, 2025

Hard Experiences

Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterwards. (Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright)

Your children may protest, “That’s not fair!” And you have to agree that, indeed, life isn’t always fair. Even at an early age we have to start learning how to handle life’s injustices, stress, and problems. Wilde’s observation may be a good way to think about them. We don’t plan to have problems, but when we do, it’s good to recall the lessons already learned

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God (Ecclesiastes 7:14). 

Stop & Think: June 2, 2025

Learning

I never learned from a man who agreed with me. (Robert A. Heinlein, American engineer and author)

That’s a rather sweeping statement, and we might wonder if it was true for Heinlein in every one of his relationships. His point is to alert his readers to the danger of listening only to those who are pretty much in lockstep with you and your worldview. There is so much to be learned, so pursue your learning with a cautious but open mind

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge (Proverbs 18:15).

Stop & Think: June 1, 2025

A Season of Joy

June is a love song written by nature. (Patience Strong, 20th century British poet)

April showers and May flowers are over. It’s June, a favorite month for a lot of people. John Keats, an earlier English poet wrote, “And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” Your days may not always be “perfect this month, but it’s your attitude that has the biggest influence on how you view your day, no matter the month.

Each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life (Psalm 42:8).

Stop & Think: May 31, 2025

Be Yourself

It is the chiefest point of happiness that a man is willing to be what he is. (Desiderius Eramus, 16th century theologian)

Wishing you were someone else is a futile pursuit. You may know all about the unusual abilities and successes of someone you admire, but do you know about their personal life and the hard work and costs of their achievements? It would be far better for you to acknowledge that you are who God made you to be and begin to use your gifts to become all that you could be.

So God created people in his own image . . . Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. (Genesis 1:27, 31)

Stop & Think: May 30, 2025

Weakness

To see weakness as purely negative is a mistake. Weakness befalls us all, and in many ways. (Arthur Brooks, author and university professor)

Brooks continues: “. . . But it is also an opportunity. . . Stop hiding it, and don’t resist it.” When we acknowledge our weaknesses, we can reach out more easily to find the help we need. Strength often comes in learning and working with others. Brooks also suggests that once you’ve been open about your fears, you can relax and help others when they struggle

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Stop & Think: May 29, 2025

Looking Ahead

Our best havings are wantings. (C. S. Lewis, late British teacher)

Think about this: what do you really want? Anticipation of that desire may be best thing about it because its fulfillment could be disappointing. On the other hand, your yearning for it may be a hindrance. Here’s what ancient philosopher Seneca said, “Anticipation is the greatest impediment to living life. In anticipating tomorrow, we lose today.”

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23)