Charles R. Swindoll Quotes & Sayings

When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic. — Charles R. Swindoll

A teardrop on earth summons the King of heaven. — Charles R. Swindoll

Philosophers are people who talk about something they don't understand and make you think it's your fault!1 — Charles R. Swindoll

Adversity is a good test of our resiliency, our ability to cope, to stand back up, to recover from misfortune. Adversity is a painful pedagogue. — Charles R. Swindoll

Leaders need to cultivate two things: a righteous heart and a rhinoceros skin. — Charles R. Swindoll

Joy springs from a life lived with eternity's values in view. — Charles R. Swindoll

People who are close to God cultivate a personal intimacy with Him like a good gardener cultivates beautiful flowers. — Charles R. Swindoll

In many (most?) churches there are programs and activities ... but so little worship. There are songs and anthems and musicals ... but so little worship. There are announcements and readings and prayers ... but so little worship. — Charles R. Swindoll

If you want to stop an argument, close your mouth. — Charles R. Swindoll

[Jesus] plan called for action, and how He expressed it predicted its success. He didn't say "you *might* be my witnesses," or "you *could* be my witnesses," or even "you *should* be my witnesses." He said "you *will* be my witnesses. — Charles R. Swindoll

It is often just as sacred to laugh as it is to pray. — Charles R. Swindoll

The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice ... it is a positive attitude we choose to express. It is not a gift delivered to our door each morning, nor does it come through the window. And it is certain that our circumstances are not the things that make us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never laugh again. — Charles R. Swindoll

Of all the things God created, I am often most grateful He created laughter. — Charles R. Swindoll

In the wilderness, God's covenant people struggled with a choice between feeding their bellies and nourishing their souls. God provided manna
a breadlike food that fell to the ground during the night
to sustain the wandering Israelites and to teach them how to value His Word more than physical fulfillment. — Charles R. Swindoll

Confidence brings joy when we let God be God. — Charles R. Swindoll

Allow me to offer a simple definition of wisdom. Wisdom is looking at life from God's point of view. — Charles R. Swindoll

When we have God in clear focus, His powerful presence eclipses our fear. — Charles R. Swindoll

Worry is a complete waste of energy. It solves nothing. — Charles R. Swindoll

Sound advice comes from veterans of pain. — Charles R. Swindoll

When God's in it ... it flows. When the flesh is in it ... it's forced. — Charles R. Swindoll

There is only one you. God wanted you to be you. Don't you dare change just because you're outnumbered! — Charles R. Swindoll

We are in charge of our attitudes. — Charles R. Swindoll

Third, God the Spirit will show us how to live and die as we learn how to release whatever has us in its grip. (That last phrase wasn't a mistake.) As long as we're owned by whatever we're clutching, we'll never be given over completely to the Holy Spirit. This would be an excellent moment for you to do some self-analysis. To what, to whom are you clinging? Let it go. Let them go. — Charles R. Swindoll

David was faithful in the first and the third; but being a man of passion, he failed in the second. And even though his wives and concubines increased, his passion was not abated. This king who took another man's wife already had a harem full of women. The simple fact is that the passion of sex is not satisfied by a full harem of women; it is increased. Having many women does not reduce a man's libido, it excites it ... it stimulates it. David, being a man with a strong sexual appetite, mistakenly thought, To satisfy it, I will have more women. — Charles R. Swindoll

We want the safety of yesterday even though we know it's not where God would have us. — Charles R. Swindoll

You see, this people [Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, etc.] simply believed that God existed in the situation they were faced with, and they trusted Him rather than themselves. The result? God said, "That pleases Me." They were men and women just like you and I, which is the most encouraging part of all. We don't find golden haloes, or perfect backgrounds, or sinless lives, we just find people. People who failed, who struggled, who doubted, who experienced hard times and low times in which their faith was eclipsed by doubt. But their lives were basically characterized by faith. — Charles R. Swindoll

God's forgiveness extends to the worst offenders and to anyone who wishes to receive it-not because of who we are, but because of who He is. — Charles R. Swindoll

God would love to piece together the shattered fragments of your life. But He is waiting ... graciously waiting until the time is right. Until you are tired of the life you are living ... until you see it for what it really is. Until you are weary of coping ... of taking charge of your own life ... until you realize the mess you are making of it. Until you recognize your need for Him ... He's waiting. — Charles R. Swindoll

I am often the brunt of my own humor. — Charles R. Swindoll

As we shall see, the best leaders are actually servants. Unselfishly, — Charles R. Swindoll

When we arrive at dilemmas in life and we are unable to decipher the right direction to go, if we hope to maintain our confidence in the process, we must (repeat must) allow the Lord to be our Guide, our Strength, our Wisdom - our all! — Charles R. Swindoll

The beautiful thing about encouragement is that anybody can do it. — Charles R. Swindoll

There are times we need to tell ourselves, "Good job!" when we know that is true. — Charles R. Swindoll

Jesus never commanded believers to produce fruit. Fruit is the *purpose* of the branch, but it is not the *responsibility* of the branch. The branch cannot produce anything on it's own. However, if it remains attached to the vine, it will receive life-sustaining sap, nourishment, strength, everything it needs. — Charles R. Swindoll

Worry erases the promises of God from your mind. — Charles R. Swindoll

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. — Charles R. Swindoll

You and I are, by birth, by nature, and by choice, inwardly depraved, which is to say that we are entirely corrupt. That's not to say that we have no good in us; we do. However, anything good in us has been tainted with evil. It touches everything. Without the redeeming power of Christ we cannot halt our own moral slide. — Charles R. Swindoll

People who soar are those who refuse to sit back, sigh and wish things would change. They neither complain of their lot nor passively dream of some distant ship coming in. Rather, they visualize in their minds that they are not quitters; they will not allow life's circumstances to push them down and hold them under. — Charles R. Swindoll

When you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and that God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself. — Charles R. Swindoll

You know one of the most encouraging things about faith? It pleases God. — Charles R. Swindoll

Because the Holy Spirit is God, we feel Him as He controls our circumstances and transforms our lives. When He does that, He uses us. He melts us in relationships. He molds us in the pursuit and the direction of His will. He fills us with power and the perseverance to keep at it. He uses as He controls our circumstances and transforms our lives. Ask the Spirit of God to use you, just as you are, with the gifts and abilities that He's given you. Secure in the confidence that God is in control of your life, you will be free to serve Him with joy and effectiveness. — Charles R. Swindoll

Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men with talent. They lack only determination. — Charles R. Swindoll

People who inspire others are those who see invisible bridges at the end of dead-end streets — Charles R. Swindoll

Excellence-moral, ethical, personal excellence-is worth whatever it costs. — Charles R. Swindoll

The crisis of physical hunger is essentially a crisis of faith. What or whom will you trust to meet your most basic needs? Will you trust the God who made human bodies, or will you seek your own way? (Deuteronomy 8:1-3) — Charles R. Swindoll

I'm glad ... that Edison didn't give up on the light bulb. That Luther refused to back down. That Michelangelo kept painting. That Lindbergh kept flying. — Charles R. Swindoll

Thanksgiving speaks in clear, crisp tones of forgotten terms, like integrity - bravery - respect - freedom - discipline - sacrifice - godliness. — Charles R. Swindoll

On tough days, you gotta have heart. Don't quit, whatever you do. Persevere. — Charles R. Swindoll

The Lord delights to surprise us with His goodness, if only we will unlock the door of obedience with the key of faith - which He has given - and then push it open and walk through. — Charles R. Swindoll

The longer I live the more I believe that the greatest enemy of a victorious Christian life is passivity. — Charles R. Swindoll

Faith itself cannot accomplish anything, yet without faith, no one can fly. — Charles R. Swindoll

God's heavenly plan doesn't always make earthly sense. — Charles R. Swindoll

A Rare Commodity A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. PROVERBS 29:23 Humility isn't a show we put on; in fact, if we think we're humble, we're probably not. And in our day of self-promotion, self-assertion, spotlighting "celebrities of the faith," and magnifying the flesh, this quality - so greatly valued by the Lord Jesus - is a rare commodity indeed ... A truly humble person looks for opportunities to give himself freely to others rather than holding back, to release rather than hoarding, to build up rather than tearing down, to serve rather than being served, to learn from others rather than clamoring for the teaching stand. How blessed are those who learn this early in life. Hope Again — Charles R. Swindoll

Leadership is influence. To the extent we influence others, we lead them. — Charles R. Swindoll

Alleged 'impossibilities' are opportunities for our capacities to be stretched. — Charles R. Swindoll

Let your passion become a passionate pursuit of Me. And as you follow, the sheep will follow.' (John 21:20-22) — Charles R. Swindoll

When a person does something, it has the man or woman look about it. It drips with humanity. You can follow the logic of it and see the meaning behind it. — Charles R. Swindoll

The more impossible the situation, the greater God accomplishes His work. — Charles R. Swindoll

Wisdom is looking at life from God's point of view. You look at life's difficulties and tests as God looks at them. You look at family life and child rearing as God looks at them. You interpret current events as God would interpret them. You see the truth even though all around you are deception and lies. — Charles R. Swindoll

When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean you're right in the center of His will. The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss. — Charles R. Swindoll

God has called His creation to find satisfaction in a personal relationship with Him, and stop trying to manage the world by conforming it to our expectations, and to allow Him to govern His creation. He continues to say through an ancient Hebrew worship song, Be still and know that I am God! — Charles R. Swindoll

Grace has to be the loveliest word in the English language. It embodies almost every attractive quality we hope to find in others. Grace is a gift of the humble to the humiliated. Grace acknowledges the ugliness of sin by choosing to see beyond it. Grace accepts a person as someone worthy of kindness despite whatever grime or hard-shell casing keeps him or her separated from the rest of the world. Grace is a gift of tender mercy when it makes the least sense. — Charles R. Swindoll

The skeptic may deny your doctrine or attack your church but he cannot honestly ignore the fact that your life has been changed. — Charles R. Swindoll

The size of a challenge should never be measured by what we have to offer. It will never be enough. Furthermore, provision is God's responsibility, not ours. We are merely called to commit what we have - even if it's no more than a sack lunch. — Charles R. Swindoll

Any idol, regardless of its beauty or usefulness or original purpose, is to be set aside so that Christ might reign supreme, without a single competitor. — Charles R. Swindoll

God uses those who seem ill-fitted for a significant life. — Charles R. Swindoll

We gain the ability to rejoice under pressure through a carefully monitored training program directed by the Lord Himself. — Charles R. Swindoll

You may be going through a trial so overwhelming that it's borderline unbearable. You want to see the end of the tunnel. Which is only natural, because once we see that little speck of light, we feel we can make it through to the finish. But God's tunnels are often twisting, too complex and dark to see the light for many days. In such settings He says, "In that dark, twisting, seemingly endless period of time, trust Me. Stop running scared! Stop fearing!" — Charles R. Swindoll

With vision there is no room to be frightened. No reason for intimidation. It's time to march forward! Let's be confident and positive! — Charles R. Swindoll

Isn't God the one who urges us to "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord"? Why do we always think that means singing? Seems to me the most obvious joyful sound on earth is laughter ... I've seen folks quote verses like "Rejoice in the Lord always" while their faces look like they just buried a rich uncle who willed everything to his pregnant guinea pig. Something is missing. — Charles R. Swindoll

Envy is one of the great enemies of active spirituality. It keeps us from loving our neighbours, from functioning with others in community, and from affirming people's unique worth. It also steals contentment from the heart. Is there anything or anyone you are envious of? — Charles R. Swindoll

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. — Charles R. Swindoll

God alone is perfectly and consistently just. We forget; God remembers. We see an action; God sees a motive. This qualifies Him as the best recordkeeper and judge. — Charles R. Swindoll

In other words Jesus went into the desert to confront His enemy and throw down the gauntlet. He would prove Himself to be the legitimate shepherd of Israel by overcoming the temptations that had undone all of Israel's previous kings, including His mighty ancestor, King David. — Charles R. Swindoll

The silence of God's voice will make you wonder if He is even there. And the absence of God's presence will make you wonder if He even cares. He is. And He does. — Charles R. Swindoll

When you are in the center of God's will, my friend, it flows. — Charles R. Swindoll

I let people see the cracks in my life. We can't be phony. We've got to keep it real. — Charles R. Swindoll

It's not our church; it's God's - it's not our responsibility to run it! — Charles R. Swindoll

I don't see life divided into public and private, secular and sacred. It's all an open place of service before our God. — Charles R. Swindoll

I am a preacher. I'm involved in many other things, but, mainly, I preach. And I love it! — Charles R. Swindoll

Like sin itself, Satan appeals to the senses. He originated and perfected the art of disguising evil as good. — Charles R. Swindoll

God's timing is always on time. — Charles R. Swindoll

It has come to the time where the most dangerous place to be in America is not the inner city, where gangs threaten innocent lives, or in angry prisons, where only the fit survive, but in the womb of a mother who is being told that if she doesn't really want the baby, an abortion is the solution. — Charles R. Swindoll

Your call will become clear as as your mind is transformed by the reading of Scripture and the internal work of God's Spirit. The Lord never hides His will from us. In time, as you obey the call first to follow, your destiny will unfold before you. The difficulty will lie in keeping other concerns from diverting your attention. — Charles R. Swindoll

There is nothing more fearful for the average person in our society than to stand before a group of people and speak. — Charles R. Swindoll

A selfless devotion. High-impact people don't care about who gets the credit, and they never complain about the role they fill. — Charles R. Swindoll

Know yourself, like yourself, be yourself. — Charles R. Swindoll

Real integrity stays in place whether the test in adversity or prosperity. — Charles R. Swindoll

God doesn't mock us. He never gives us a goal that we cannot accomplish in His strength. I want to assure you, you can glorify God, you MUST glorify God. But you have to determine deep within your heart that you're going to do it His way. — Charles R. Swindoll

Go God's way! His is the most reliable route to follow when life gets complicated. It will have its tough moments, but you will never regret it. — Charles R. Swindoll

My order of priorities reflects the level of my commitment to Christ. Whoever or whatever is in first place, if it isn't the Lord Jesus, is in the wrong place. — Charles R. Swindoll

This section of Scripture reminds me of the rows of white crosses along the wind-swept hills of Normandy. We're free today because, in June 1944, during the three-month battle of Normandy, nearly fifty-three thousand "nobodies" paid the ultimate price to defeat Nazi tyranny. No fewer than 9, 387 grave markers overlook Omaha Beach, many of them bearing the names of men who died during the first hours of the invasion called D-day. Beneath every white marker lies a person of significance because each one had an impact on the rest of history; each one made a difference. It's a very moving place to be. Visitors to that patch of land near Colleville-sur Mer, France, frequently weep quietly because there the real heroes of the war are silently honored. — Charles R. Swindoll

God never calls His people to accomplish anything without promising to supply their every need. — Charles R. Swindoll

Anyone who influences others is a leader. — Charles R. Swindoll

Let me ask you, what are you planning to do with the rest of your days? — Charles R. Swindoll

Good listeners believe they can learn something from everyone. — Charles R. Swindoll

We want a crowd to make us feel important and liked. But why is getting a crowd our focus? Jesus never suggested that crowds were the goal. He never addresses getting your church to grow. Never. — Charles R. Swindoll

Grace strips away the tin, rips off the masks, helps us to be ourselves so that when we speak of our faith it rings true. — Charles R. Swindoll

Disagreements are inevitable. There will always be opposing viewpoints and a variety of perspectives on most subjects. Tastes differ as well as preferences. That is why they make vanilla and chocolate and strawberry ice cream, why they build Fords and Chevys, Chryslers and Cadillacs, Hondas and Toyotas. That is why our nation has room for Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals - and moderates. The tension is built into our system. It is what freedom is all about, including religious freedom.
I am fairly firm in my theological convictions, but that doesn't mean you (or anyone) must agree with me. All this explains why we must place so much importance on leaving "wobble room" in our relationships. One's theological persuasion may not bend, but one's involvement with others must. — Charles R. Swindoll

If the pace and the push, the noise and the crowds are getting to you, it's time to stop the nonsense and find a place of solace to refresh your spirit — Charles R. Swindoll