GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 11, 2023

Forgiving

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. (19th century Oscar Wilde, Irish poet)

When a friend offends you, most often unintentionally, it’s easy to forgive and forget. But when someone who really doesn’t like you offends you, it’s a bit more difficult to forgive. Our natural instinct is to fight back, to seek revenge. Wilde may be right, but our purpose in forgiving is not to hurt or harm the offender, but to bring him or her to a place of reconciliation and peace.

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven (Proverbs 17:9). Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you (Colossians 3:13).

Stop & Think: March 10, 2023

Beauty and Love

We have so mixed love with beauty and charm and sensuality and contact that we’ve robbed it of its higher call of cherishing and nurturing. (Late apologist)

So-called beauty pageants usually ask a serious question or two of the contestants, which seem to be merely incidental in determining the queen. It’s difficult to deny that it’s their physical beauty that wins the prize. The same can be said of shows where beauty determines who the guy or girl will fall in love with. It’s all the world’s misconception of beauty and love.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last (Proverbs 31:30) … Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty … or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Stop & Think: March 9, 2023

Problems

Problems should be solved on the spot as soon as they arise. (Jan Carlzon, Swedish businessman)

It’s probably human nature that makes us want to avoid problems, especially if they might include some kind of personal conflict. We like to put it off until another day, thinking either that the problem will go away, or we will have a solution later. Most of us have found out, however, that problems only seem to get worse when we delay facing them. Better get at it right away.

When you pray, if you remember anyone who has wronged you, forgive him so that God above can also forgive you (Mark 11:25).

Stop & Think: March 8, 2023

Friendship

Truth and tears clear the way to a deep and lasting friendship. (Marie de Rabutan-Chantal, 17th century French aristocrat and letter-writer)

Genuine friendship certainly requires truth, and the expression of tears will often solidify a relationship. Photographer Gabriela Catalina put it another way, “Friendship: a building contract you sign with laughter and break with tears.” As you evaluate your list of acquaintances, you can probably identify those true, lasting friends by those two elements: truth and tears.

There are “friends” who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Stop & Think: March 7, 2023

Trials

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. (Chinese proverb)

“No pain, no gain,” they say about exercise and fitness. That’s not much of an incentive, is it? Yet, we have all learned that it’s from times of stress and difficulty that we learn so much about life and perseverance. We certainly don’t want to look for difficult situations, but when they come—and they certainly will, ask God for patience and endurance.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance (Romans 5:3).

Stop & Think: March 6, 2023

Making Plans or Surprises?

Don’t plan it all. Let life surprise you a little. (Julia Alvarez, American poet and novelist)

Your desk might tell a lot about you. The neat-as-a-pin surface could give the impression that you are extremely well organized. You probably follow a very specific plan for your work. A messy desk could convey the idea that you like freedom from too much order and planning. A little of both could be a good alternative. Leave room for some spontaneity and surprises.

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

Stop & Think: March 5, 2023

Humor

If one has no sense of humor, one is in trouble. (Betty White, late TV actress)

Have you ever wondered if God has a sense of humor? We are made in his image, and we like to laugh—it’s a mirror of the joy we feel in His presence and out of a heart of gratitude.

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them (Psalm 126:2).

Stop & Think: March 4, 2023

Provision

The Promised Land always lies on the other side of a wilderness. (Havelock Ellis, 19th-20th century British essayist)

The Bible’s Old Testament relates the saga of the People of God who wandered through the wilderness for 40 years to reach the Promised Land. Their story is one of suffering and sin but with the miraculous provision of God’s ultimate deliverance as promised. That historic journey is a lesson to us to be people who walk in faith and obedience, trusting him and his provision.

[God] provided for you so you would know that he is the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 29:6). And God will generously provide all you need (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Stop & Think: March 3, 2023

Trees and Life

The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life. (Rabindranath Tagor, 19th-20th century Bengali philosopher)

People who plant trees must realize that much later others will appreciate them for their beauty, shade, or timber.  A slave wrote, “He that plants trees, loves others besides himself.” Someone else suggested that we should be useful as a tree by giving life to others.”  Trees are a witness to life, and our lives should be a witness to the best life possible, one lived for God and others.

[They who] delight in the law of the Lord … are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season (Psalm 1:2, 3). 

Stop & Think: March 2, 2023

Life Investment

Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich. (Sarah Bernhardt, 19th-20th century French stage actress)

This may sound like either a science lesson about life and energy or a philosophical statement about life itself. The science lessons are important, but Bernhardt no doubt is simply trying to help us understand something even more important. When we spend ourselves for the good of others, we both benefit and become that much richer in character and value.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Stop & Think: March 1, 2023

Real Friends

Misfortune shows those who are not really friends. (Aristotle, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

When times are tough, we often find out who our real friends are. Those who keep their distance, perhaps saying nice things in passing, are not there to help when we need it. But those who show up when things get tough are the ones we cling to for support. They are demonstrating genuine friendship.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? … A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 17:17; 20:6))

Stop & Think: February 28, 2023

Friend 3

The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. (Elizabeth Foley, Attorney)

Sometimes we find it difficult to move away from home, leaving friends behind. We feel as if we’re losing some important part of our life. When children make such a move, they may form new friendships easily, forgetting most of the former ones. But, as Foley suggests, if our friendship has been deep and meaningful, separation will not diminish the relationship.

A friend is always loyal. … The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. … As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 17:17; 27:9, 17)