GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 25, 2026

Hope

The fear of death is engrafted in the common nature of all men, but faith works it out of Christians. (Vavasor Powell, 17th century Welsh Puritan)

The fear of death seems to be universal. When we’re young, we feel almost immortal. Later, we don’t like to talk about death, as if talking might make it happen. But we need to face its reality because the Bible says all of us are destined to die and after that there’s a judgment. The good news is that the Bible also offers hope beyond death to those who put their faith in God.

Anyone who is among the living has hope (Ecclesiastes 9:4).

Stop & Think: April 24, 2026

Hope

Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities. (Norman Vincent Peale, late clergyman and author)

Sometimes we become discouraged because circumstances seem to be working against us, and our hope for success begins to fade. It’s then that we need a friend or counselor who can help us see beyond the present to consider what can be done to reclaim our lost hope and move toward success. Trust the God of the impossible.

Everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23).

Stop & Think: April 23, 2026

Hope

Belief isn’t just about being sincere. If you really really believe you can fly, you’ll really really get hurt. (Kevin DeYoung, theologian and historian)

Many people seem to think that as long as they have faith, they’ll be okay. But, as DeYoung points out, faith must be placed in something that is real and true. Blind faith will lead nowhere good. The strength of faith is all about where that faith is placed. Be sure to trust in what is eternal and true.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

Stop & Think: April 22, 2026

Hope

Hope is a renewable option. If you run out of it at the end of the day, you get to start over in the morning. (Barbara Kingsolver, novelist and essayist)

Like so many other intangibles, hope comes from one’s inner makeup. People who are strong and resilient overcomers are able to draw from their inner self. In spite of their own difficult obstacles, they inspire us all to keep going with “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow” (a line from the hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.)

Set yourselves apart to the Lord. Tomorrow he’ll do amazing things among you (Joshua 3:5).

Stop & Think: April 21, 2026

Hope

What a grand world this would be if we all did as well today as we expect to do tomorrow! (Anonymous)

Like the song from Annie, tomorrow always holds hope for better things no matter how bad everything might seem to be today.  Another song reminds us that yesterday has gone and tomorrow may never come. We do have today, so let’s live it to the fullest. Let’s do our best, remembering that “hope springs eternal.”

Tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you (Joshua 3:5).

Stop & Think: April 20, 2026

Hope

Each time a person . . . acts to improve the lot of others . . . he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. (Robert F. Kennedy, late U.S. attorney general)

You might think that your little effort on behalf of others doesn’t really make much difference. But, when combined with similar good deeds of others, the aggregate effort can be significant. Nothing can stop the united efforts of sincere and repeated good works for the benefit of others. So, keep up the good works!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

Stop & Think: April 19, 2026

Hope

Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil; our great hope lies in developing what is good. (Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. president)

It is abundantly evident in this 21st century that there is plenty of evil in the world. The many efforts of untold hundreds of organizations to defeat crime and evil seem to have accomplished little. Perhaps it’s time to follow Coolidge’s’ advice and try a different tack, a positive effort to do good, to share hope, to work for peace and safety.

Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good (Romans 12:21).

Stop & Think: April 18, 2026

Hope

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. (Martin Luther, reformer)

Many factors motivate people to move ahead, to pursue a dream or a vision. Luther suggests that hope may be the greatest motivation of all. But, if we think the future is uncertain or that what we are pursuing can’t succeed, we fear losing our dream. In other words, if we have no hope, our dreams will certainly fail. It’s a certain hope that keeps us seeking worthy goals.

You will be secure, because there is hope . . . Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord (Job 11:8; Psalm 31:24).

Stop & Think: April 17, 2026

Hope

Man is a creature of hope and invention, both of which belie the idea that things cannot be changed. (Tom Clancy, late author and screenwriter)

Sometimes we feel as if we’re caught in an unpleasant situation from which there seems to be no escape. Our past experience may be telling us that we can’t change our circumstances—that we’re trapped by unalterable conditions. But, as Clancy points out, our hope lies in our creative abilities to find a way to overcome.

But if we wait expectantly for things we have never seen, then we hope with true perseverance and eager anticipation (Romans 8:25).

Stop & Think: April 16, 2026

Hope

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. (Albert Einstein, noted scientist)

The past is important not only because of pleasant memories of better days, but also because of the lessons learned. Since today is the only time we are guaranteed to have, and it could be gone in a flash, live large today! With what we’ve learned from the life lessons of the past, we can make the most of today and move on into a hopeful future.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands (Psalm 78:7).

Stop & Think: April 15, 2026

Hope

When you forgive, anxiety gets better; depression gets better. You have more hope. (Everett Worthington, psychologist)

Are you anxious or depressed today? Worthington suggests that one of the causes of anxiety may be an unforgiving spirit. When someone has been hurt so deeply that he or she simply can’t get over it and forgive the offender, anxiety and depression only worsen. Choosing to forgive will relieve the anxiety, avoid depression, and restore lost hope.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! (Psalm 43:5)

Stop & Think: April 14, 2026

Hope

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Life is full of disappointments. Much of the time, that’s because what happens doesn’t live up to our expectations. Often, we have very selfish, shallow, and unrealistic expectations. And our hope, like faith, is placed in untrustworthy realities. But no matter how difficult, a life that is grounded in reality and truth, can have infinite hope.

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).