GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: October 18, 2025

Nervous?

To control your nerves, you must have a positive thought in your mind. (Byron Nelson, late professional golfer)

People get nervous about a lot of things, don’t they? We all have butterflies at some time or another, even if it’s just taking a driver’s test or making a presentation at work. It’s often the fear of failure and embarrassment that makes us uneasy. But we can relax when we’re well prepared, think positively, and expect good results.

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: October 17, 2025

Change the World

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. (Rumi, 13th century Persian poet)

We have often heard the good counsel that to change anything in our society or environment, we must first change ourselves. Rumi recognized that truth and proceeded make personal change. That’s a challenge to those of us who live in a world where change is often negative. Be a force for positive change.

This same Good News . . . is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace (Colossians 1:6).

Stop & Think: October 16, 2025

Carpe Diem!

The past is a place of reference, not a residence, [a place of] learning, not living. (Roy T. Bennett, author)

Do you know people who seem to be living in the past?  They cling to their memories and may often lament, “This is not the way it used to be” or “Why all these changes?” As Bennett says, the past is where we learned, but we live in the present. It’s best to apply the lessons of the past to make the most of life today! Carpe Diem!

It is a good thing to . . . accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20).

Stop & Think: October 15, 2025

The American Dream

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle. (Napoleon Hill, American author)

What is the “American Dream?” Whatever it is for you, the bigger question is, how do you achieve it? Is it an entitlement promised by the Declaration of Independence, or as Hill suggests, does realizing that dream involve effort and struggle, strengths that come from personal discipline and dependence on the Almighty?

Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine (Proverbs 8:14).

Stop & Think: October 14, 2025

Really?

Be at ease, do not freeze. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong. Sports authors)

It’s the bottom of the ninth and your team is trailing by one run. You’re up to bat;  the count is 3 balls & 2 strikes; and the coach sent you to the plate with these words: “Be at ease, do not freeze.” Really? Can you really do that? Baseball is only a game, but if you’re a professional baseball player, it could be costly. It’s important to be in control, especially at times like this.

For the Lord your God is living among you.  . . . He will calm all your fears. (Zephaniah 3:17). 

Stop & Think: October 13, 2025

Risk-taking

There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction. (John Kennedy, 35th US president)

Is it fatigue or fear and uncertainty that keep us from getting off the couch to do anything? Or are we content with being comfortable where we are? Or maybe we just don’t like to take risks. From the purely human standpoint, there may be risks in taking action. But, as Kennedy suggests, doing nothing has risks, too. Opportunities, for example, that may never come again.

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days (Ephesians 5:16).
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone (Galatians 6:10).

Stop & Think: October 12, 2025

Sportsmen

Golf is the only sport where there are more teachers than players. (Conrad Rehling, golf coach)

Listening or watching football, baseball, soccer, or any other sport, you’ll hear the play-by-play announcer and the color guy second-guessing almost every play. And in our personal lives, we often do the same thing, judging our boss’s decision or the choice of a family member. It’s one thing to critique a game on TV, but quite another to second-guess your family or your boss!

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless . . . (Philippians 1:9-10)

Stop & Think: October 11, 2025

Blunders

Learning by making mistakes and not duplicating them is what life is about. (Lindsay Fox, Australian businessman)

It’s an obvious fact of life…everyone makes mistakes. What is most disturbing is that we keep repeating those same mistakes. We’re probably just too impatient to stop to consider why this is true and how we keep doing it. Take Fox’s advice; evaluate your work, make necessary changes, and minimize your errors.

Indeed, we all make many mistakes (James 3:2).
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. . . . Pay attention and learn good judgment (Proverbs 2:2; 4:1).

Stop & Think: October 10, 2025

Change

If you want people to change, make it safe for them to try. (Source unknown)

Surely, some wise person first made this comment. He or she had undoubtedly noted times when someone encouraged a friend to give up a bad habit or begin a good new one only to see failure because the expectations were unrealistic. Allowing our friends to change without making it difficult for them to do so will help them to succeed.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). 

Stop & Think: October 9, 2025

Storms

Not every storm destroys . . . some storms reveal the strength we never knew we had. (Beloved Ashville website)

Some storms leave very little physical damage to property, while others bring total devastation. Even in those cases,  however, strong life values often prevail. Property may be damaged or gone, but the survivors may discover personal strengths and courage they never knew they had. As difficult as it will be, look for the hidden blessings and the valued life lessons.

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation (Proverbs 10:25).

Stop & Think: October 8, 2025

Worthy Goals

Goals determine direction; they do not define success. (Jarryd Wallace, champion runner)

In spite of serious physical limitations, Wallace was a successful competitive runner who won numerous races, setting records and earning a Paralympic medal. He had set and achieved personal goals, but his observation that goals do not define success is a helpful reminder to set priorities that help achieve those worthy goals, earn respect, and honor God.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God . . . is calling us (Philippians 3:14).

Stop & Think: October 7, 2025

Confidence

The person I fear most in the last two rounds [of golf] is myself. (Tom Watson, professional golfer)

If you play golf at all, you know how tense the last two rounds can be. Even the best golfers in the world know that, on any given day, one of their gifted competitors could overtake their lead and win in the final round. Like Watson, we have to play with confidence; we must be in complete control of ourselves—not just our physical ability, but our judgment and emotions—to bring home the win.

Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward (2 John 1:8).