GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 26, 2023

Comparisons

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Eleanor Roosevelt, 20th century U.S. First Lady)

Certain people seem to have an inferiority complex. They feel insignificant in a group, thinking everyone else is smarter, better educated, or successful. That may be a common problem for some, but Roosevelt is encouraging those people to take a positive look at their lives, realizing that they should avoid comparisons and think clearly about their own strengths.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else (Galatians 6:4).

Stop & Think: April 25, 2023

Finding Joy

There is no hope of joy except in human relations. (Antoine de Sainte-Exupery, 20th century French writer)

This is one of those observations that might be true but could be questioned by people with contrary experience. No doubt having strong, positive relationships with others can provide a lot of joy. But contentment can also be found in being alone reading, singing, or meditating. Perhaps joy is an internal element that is found in a variety of experiences.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. . . . Those who trust the Lord will be joyful. (Proverbs 3:13; 16:20)

Stop & Think: April 24, 2023

Friends #3

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen. (Steve Klaka, author)

Friendships don’t just happen out of the blue, although sometimes it might seem so. Prof. C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” When you discover someone who thinks like you do, there is an immediate bond. The former stranger becomes an understanding friend.

I am a friend to anyone who fears you, anyone who obeys your commandments (Psalm 119:63).

Stop & Think: April 23, 2023

Friends #2

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

Sometimes we see friends that seem to be almost inseparable. Everywhere one goes, the other will be there. It appears that they must be co-dependent. That could be harmful, because we all need to have other friends and experiences that fulfill us. You both grow when you can allow your friend to have his or her own life and remain fully supportive of each other.

So let [faith] grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 3:4).

Stop & Think: April 22, 2023

Friends #1

A world without a friend would be like a world without water, something you need. (Paraphrased from an unknown author)

This unknown writer continued: “Friends are like glass, once broken, they are hard to fix. Keep your friends, as you would keep your water.” We can’t live long without water; it is essential to life and health. It may be possible to live without friends, but there would no doubt be a constant thirst for something more, someone to converse with, someone to know and trust.

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:11).

Stop & Think: April 21, 2023

Warning

Precautions are useless after the event. (Aesop’s Fables)

It’s like “closing the door after the horse has left the barn.” These warnings are simple but important. Putting off till tomorrow may be harmful if our failure to prepare means great loss in a fire, a theft, or even a health issue. What is even more dangerous—though too often ignored in our secular society, is the preparation for life after death.

For God says, “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Stop & Think: April 20, 2023

Worry

What worries you masters you. (John Locke, 17th century English philosopher)

One of the most difficult issues we face from time to time is the sense of unease and worry. We just can’t seem to control the anxiety associated with the current problem. We act as though if we fret about it long enough, we might eventually be able to change the outcome. We really know that doesn’t work, so we may need to find peace by trusting God with the outcome.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6).

Stop & Think: April 19, 2023

Rituals

Bringing intent to our rituals gives us the chance to rewire our attitudes. (Seth Godin, author and business executive)

More from Godin: “The things we do each day, every day, often arrive without intent. By the time we realize that they’re now habits, these random behaviors have already become part of [our lives].” It would be a good practice for us to examine our habits to be sure they reflect our values and interests rather than just doing them as part of our routine.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior (Ephesians 4:31). So get rid of all evil behavior (1 Peter 2:1).

Stop & Think: April 18, 2023

Citizens

The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops—no, but the kind of man the country turns out. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

When we study history, we often judge past civilizations by the size of their territory, their conquests in war, or the monuments they may have left—the pyramids, for example. Isn’t it more important, however, to know the kind of people they produced? Are they known for their evil dictators and cruel warriors or for their artists, philosophers, and teachers?

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people. (Exodus 18:25)

Stop & Think: April 17, 2023

Charity

Charity is never lost; it may meet with ingratitude . . . yet it ever does a work of beauty and grace upon the heart of the giver. (Conyers Middleton, 18th century English clergyman)

Middleton has added an important twist to the essential quality of charity, or love. We most often think of charity as helping others and, in turn, receiving the thanks of the recipient of our love. But when that isn’t the case, there is still great benefit to our acts of charity because they do something good in us.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Stop & Think: April 16, 2023

Sunshine

Don’t be a dark cloud on a sunny day. (Television commercial)

Do you know anyone like that? Things are going well; you’re happy and doing fine, and wham! Somebody comes along and ruins your day with their unhappiness, pouring out their misfortune or bad attitude on you. Wouldn’t you rather be the person who brings sunshine and hope into another’s life? Make it your purpose for today.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

Stop & Think: April 15, 2023

Success

To feel valued, to know, even if only once in a while, that you can do a job well is an absolute[ly] marvelous feeling. (Barbara Walters, American broadcast journalist)

We all want to succeed at something, to do really well, and to be recognized for our achievement even if it’s only in a little thing. It does something for our self-image. Knowing that, it would be good for all of us to lend a hand to others by helping them succeed in a worthy endeavor so they can have their moment of “feeling valued.”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29).