GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 13, 2025

Words and Bones

The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words. (Irina Swart, quoted by Oprah Winfrey, TV host)

The old saying that “words will never hurt me” is blatantly wrong. It’s true that written or spoken words don’t break bones, but they can—and often do–much greater harm. Innumerable broken hearts and spirits are the result of hurtful words, sometimes spoken quickly and forgotten for the moment. Listen carefully; speak softly and kindly to bless rather than hurt others.

If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. (James 3:2)

Stop & Think: March 12, 2025

Having a Voice

If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. (Shirly Chisholm, former U.S. representative.

Chisholm was most likely referring to the difficulties she had, as the first black woman elected to Congress, in being heard by the other representatives. Her advice could be helpful to anyone who is shut out of taking part in meaningful discussions about life, politics, or spiritual concerns. Christians may have to “pull up a chair” to be heard on topics relating to faith and life.

To the Apostle Paul: “For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.” To all believers: “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.” (Acts 22:15; 1:8)

Stop & Think: March 11, 2025

Knowledge

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. (Benjamin Franklin, U.S. founding father)

Every day–sometimes even more often–some people check the Dow-Jones readings. They’re concerned about their investments, hoping for good earnings and fearing the occasional losses. Franklin’s comment may seem less significant to financial investors, but it is a foundational truth. Without good knowledge and the wisdom to apply it well, life will be less rewarding.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. . . .  Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge. . . . (Proverbs 1:7; 18:15)

Stop & Think: March 10, 2025

Priorities

When your priorities are confused, don’t be surprised if you are, too! (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

We probably don’t often reassess our priorities, and that’s not good. We’re content with life in general until we run into perplexing situations. It’s at those times, as Brown suggests, we may become confused. We may continue to fail unless we reset the priorities in our minds to enable us to make better choices.

A wise person chooses the right road. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. (Psalm 25:12)
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

Stop & Think: March 9, 2025

Limits

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and speaker)

How much strength and endurance do you have? It’s when we face a task that is more difficult than we had expected that we discover our limitations. That’s a good thing to know. We’ll not likely sprain a muscle if we recognize how far we can go and stop short of hurting ourselves. The same principle applies when we face tests of our character.

When we run into problems and trials, . . . we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character . . . (Romans 5:3-4)

Stop & Think: March 8, 2025

Now and Later

A person has to be careful about things he might regret years from now. (Linus, a character in the Peanuts cartoon)

Charles Schultz used his cartoon characters to remind us of simple but significant truths. Whether it’s an ill-chosen word or an unintended faux pas, its impact may hurt at the moment and recur in one’s memory for months or years. Setting a guard on our words and interactions with people is the best protection from long-lasting hurt.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. (1 Peter 2:1)

Stop & Think: March 7, 2025

Problem-Solving

The four truths of solution-driven communication: communicate truthfully, tenderly, timely, and tactfully. (A retired clergyman)

Whether in positions of leadership or merely facing interpersonal problems, we could all use these four truths to find solutions to our problems. Surely truth should be the foundational element of any discourse. We need to judge the proper moment for confrontation; timing can be extremely important. And tact and tenderness are elements we should always practice.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Stop & Think: March 6, 2025

Happiness and/or Love?

There are two pillars of happiness. . . One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away.” (Arthur Brooks, American author)

Americans like the phrase in the Declaration of Independence, “the pursuit of happiness.” It seems almost universally true that people are seeking happiness more than anything else. Brooks’ observation is more in tune with Scripture that teaches happiness is not so much a goal as the result of pursuing higher purposes in life, especially the kind of love that puts others first.

If I could speak all . . . languages . . .  had the gift of prophecy, . . . understood all of God’s secret plans . . . possessed all knowledge, and . . .  could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)

Stop & Think: March 5, 2025

Better Two or Three

If you want to run fast, run alone. If you want to run far, run together. (African proverb)

To put it another way, “When time is of the essence, fly solo.” No matter how you say it, it’s a helpful reminder, especially for those of us who tend to “run alone.” Pastor Chris Suitt makes this application: “[People] with a solid support group handle tough times a lot easier.” We need like-minded companions to help us to think properly and to make wise life choices.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Stop & Think: March 4, 2025

Peace

You can’t create chaos in the lives of others and expect peace in yours. (Moran Richard Oliver, author and speaker)

The long, drawn-out political season has been over for a few months—or has it? We might have hoped for a season of peace and unity, but political disagreements continue to produce debate if not genuine chaos. One might wonder if the out-spoken political activists who cause distress for others have any peace within themselves. True peace is never the result of political decisions.

Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Stop & Think: March 3, 2025

Reality

Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president)

We’ve heard it said that some people “are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” That may describe some professing Christians, but it might be said about some astrologers, too. The point is, a truly godly person will live a life of purpose and devotion to God, aware of the world around him but, also, fully committed to knowing God and his Word.

Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Stop & Think: March 2, 2025

Judging

Never judge a stranger by his clothes. (Zachary Taylor, 12th U.S. president)

We are prone to do that, aren’t we? We assume that a well-dressed and carefully groomed person has good social status and is prosperous. On the other hand, someone dressed poorly may cause us to think less highly of him or her. It reminds us of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Let’s not let first impressions cause us to make false assumptions.

If you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. (James 2:9; but read vv. 1-8 also)