GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 25, 2025

Rest

Fatigue is the wife of poor judgment and the mother of all error. (Source unknown)

This unattributed thought was found in a book about sailing. You can imagine what the author was warning sailors about. Like being asleep at the wheel when you’re driving or sailing a boat of any kind, especially in uncharted waters or bad weather, it can be dangerous, even fatal. Tired? It’s best to get your rest before you set sail.

My heart is glad. My soul is full of joy. My body also will rest without fear. (Psalm 16:9)

Stop & Think: May 24, 2025

Forgiving

Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author)

When we are deeply hurt, we often find it very hard to forgive the offender. We need and deserve an apology, at least. We may even want to be forgiving, but that’s not easy to do, especially if the hurt, either physical or emotional, remains. To forgive, however, is to obey God and even follow his example. We may also discover, as Huie suggests, that our attitude has given us peace.

And through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (Colossians 1:20)

Stop & Think: May 23, 2025

Perspective

Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you. (Walt Whitman, 19th century American poet and essayist)

Whitman’s comment has often been seen as an encouragement to think and act positively rather than facing a shadowy unknown that might lead to discouragement or discontent. One could offer a different perspective, too. Perhaps, the sunshine at your back lights the way ahead, and you can move forward with confidence. It may be just a question of attitude and perspective.

Throw off . . . your former way of life . . . Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. (Ephesians 4:22-23)

Stop & Think: May 22, 2025

Persistence

The ways of the universe yield to persistence. (Pat Robertson, late televangelist)

Robertson reminds us of the struggle that hatchlings have in breaking out of their shell. It takes effort, persistence, and time. If you try to help the little chick hatch prematurely, it will not develop the strength it needs to survive. What a great illustration of the value of struggles. If we persist through them, we will be strengthened in every way. Stick with it!

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

Stop & Think: May 21, 2025

Struggles

To refuse to struggle is to stand still, to stagnate. (Source unknown)

We are often faced with a struggle that’s not of our own making. If we choose to ignore the problem and don’t fight to overcome it, we may become unproductive and lose our ability to work through tough issues. We can profit from Paul the apostle who discovered his struggles and weaknesses were within God’s plan for his life.

God to Paul: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Stop & Think: May 20, 2025

Simple but Not Easy

There are simple answers to problems, but not easy ones. (Ronald Reagen, 40th U.S. president)

Life seems so complicated at times. Whether you’re a student, an apprentice, a growing family, or someone who seems to have things all together, we all face situations that seem to be beyond our ability to serve. Like Reagen, we often face a variety of weighty issues, and, like him, we must seek for the simple answers and do the hard work necessary to overcome them.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. (Proverbs 16:1)

Stop & Think: May 19, 2025

Opportunities

If you wait, all you get is older. (Paraphrase of Larry McMurty)

You’re going to get older, anyhow, so don’t just wait for the unknown to happen. It’s been said that “Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them.” And Motivational writer William Arthur Ward warned: “Opportunities are like surprises. If you wait too long you miss them.”

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:16)

Stop & Think: May 18, 2025

Truth

There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily. (George Washington)

What is truth? If you don’t know what it is, how can you pursue a straight course for it? Many today think that truth is relative, and whatever they think an idea means—that’s truth to them. Of course, if everyone has his own truth, there is no truth at all and there can never be any basis for agreement and work with others.

Jesus: “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” . . . “I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 18:37; 14:6)

Stop & Think: May 17, 2025

One Voice or Many

One person committed to a cause is far more effective than a thousand who are merely interested. (Bill Brown, worldview author)

Brown is alluding to someone who may be a lone voice proclaiming an idea they want the world to know. John the Baptist identified himself as just such a voice (John 1:23). And his message was soon joined by the disciples of Jesus who initiated the cause of Christianity. You may be a lone voice. Be sure it’s for a just cause.

And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Stop & Think: May 16, 2025

Motives

People don’t buy what you do; people buy why you do it. (Simon Sinek, author and motivational speaker)

It’s a truism: people don’t pay as much attention to what we say as to what we do. Sinek adds another important dimension. What’s the reason for our actions and involvements? Others may question what we say and do because they don’t understand why. Our motives may be questioned, so it’s good if the reasons for our actions are pure and clearly understood.

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives. (1 Chronicles 29:17)

Stop & Think: May 15, 2025

Perspective

Your past can’t change, but your future sure can. Remember to focus on your next step, not the last stumble. (Source unknown)

Many have commented on the three tenses of our lives. Religious leader Thomas Monson said, “The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.” Actress Mary Pickford adds: “The past cannot be changed, but the future is yet in your power.” It may call for a change of habits or mindset, but make it your goal to learn, live, and prepare.

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

Stop & Think: May 14, 2025

Authority/Power

Only those who do not desire power are fit to hold it. (Plato)

Have you noticed that often the people who are seeking positions of leadership are simply power hungry? They want to accomplish their personal goals, rather than do what would be best for those they want to lead. The goal of every leader should be to serve rather than to rule, becoming a servant leader in every area of community life.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. (Proverbs 29:2)