Charles R. Swindoll Quotes

Powerful Charles R. Swindoll for Daily Growth

About Charles R. Swindoll

Charles Robert Swindoll, born on February 18, 1934, in Houston, Texas, is a prominent American pastor, radio preacher, author, and seminary chancellor. Known for his engaging storytelling style and practical teaching method, Swindoll has influenced countless lives through his work. Swindoll attended Baylor University, where he initially pursued a career in broadcasting. However, during a student revival meeting in 1954, he experienced a spiritual awakening that led him to change his major to biblical studies. He later graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1958. Swindoll's ministerial journey began at the Chicago Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, where he served as an associate pastor for ten years. In 1968, he moved to Dallas to become the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, a position he held until 1994. During his time at First Baptist Dallas, Swindoll launched Insight for Living, a radio ministry that now reaches millions worldwide. His sermons, characterized by their practical application and creative storytelling, have become a staple of Christian radio. Swindoll's writing career began in the 1970s with the publication of "Living on the Edge." Since then, he has authored over 85 books, including the popular "Grace Awakening" and the "Swindoll's Living Insight New Testament Commentary." In addition to his pastoral and writing work, Swindoll founded Dallas Theological Seminary's Extension Centers in the United States and abroad. He also serves as the Chancellor at DTS. Today, Charles R. Swindoll continues to write, speak, and minister through Insight for Living, impacting lives globally with his unique blend of biblical wisdom and practical application.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."

This quote emphasizes that while external events (10%) have an impact on our lives, the majority of our life experiences (90%) comes from how we choose to respond to those events. It underscores the importance of personal responsibility in shaping our own destinies by focusing on our reactions and attitudes rather than solely blaming circumstances beyond our control.


"The more hurt people inflict on others in their lives, the more they end up hurting themselves, for in the end, we reap what we sow."

This quote suggests that harming others will ultimately lead to self-harm, as our actions have a way of coming back to us, or "we reap what we sow." It highlights the universal principle of cause and effect in human relationships. By causing pain or damage to others, one is planting seeds of negativity and conflict, which can eventually grow and affect them in return. This wisdom encourages empathy, understanding, and kindness towards others, as it underscores the interconnectedness of our actions and their impact on ourselves and those around us.


"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

This quote emphasizes that success cannot be achieved without hard work. The dictionary order merely lists words alphabetically, with "success" appearing before "work," but in real life, success follows diligent effort and dedication. In other words, success is the result of the work one puts in, not something that can be attained easily or quickly without effort.


"Possessions get lost, friends depart, but a good book never leaves you."

This quote by Charles R. Swindoll emphasizes the enduring nature and value of books compared to physical possessions or friendships. Unlike material items that can be lost or relationships that may change over time, a good book remains a constant companion. It offers knowledge, entertainment, and emotional connections that stay with us long after we've finished reading. A good book has the power to enrich our lives, broaden our perspectives, and even shape our character - making it an invaluable treasure.


"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill."

This quote by Charles R. Swindoll emphasizes that one's attitude is crucial in shaping life experiences. He suggests that a positive, resilient attitude can be more influential on personal growth and success than external factors such as circumstances, education, or financial resources. In other words, it's not just what happens to us that matters but how we perceive and respond to those events that truly shapes our lives. A good attitude helps individuals overcome adversity, seize opportunities, and maintain a sense of well-being amidst various challenges and successes.


When you have a sense of calling, whether it's to be a musician, soloist, artist, in one of the technical fields, or a plumber, there is something deep and enriching when you realize it isn't just a casual choice, it's a divine calling. It's not limited to vocational Christian service by any means.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Deep, Artist, Technical, Enriching

I'm not against screens, or new songs, or innovation. I just don't like the gimmicks. I want to know when worship is over that that leader's sole purpose was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Purpose, Leader, Against, Lord Jesus

Because God gave you your makeup and superintended every moment of your past, including all the hardship, pain, and struggles, He wants to use your words in a unique manner. No one else can speak through your vocal cords, and, equally important, no one else has your story.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Makeup, Through, Use, Story

Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitudes toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.

- Charles R. Swindoll

More, Attitudes, Adequately, Impact

It's the most exciting thing to watch God work when I've asked him about something, to listen to him and watch him work. It's like this friendship, and it just grows and grows and grows and grows.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Friendship, Like, Grows, Asked

When a church is spending more of its budget on media than shepherding, something is out of whack. We have gotten things twisted around.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Church, More, Gotten, Whack

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Friendship, Imagine, Given, Handful

The swift wind of compromise is a lot more devastating than the sudden jolt of misfortune.

- Charles R. Swindoll

More, Than, Lot, Sudden

I'm here today to warn you: I want you to watch out for the adversary. Guard yourself from any spirit of entitlement. Restrain any and all subtle temptation to gain attention or to find ways to promote yourself.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Here, Out, Guard, Temptation

We can't solve modern problems by going back in time. Retreating to the safety of the familiar is an understandable response, but God has called us to a life of faith. And faith requires us to face the unknown while trusting Him completely.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Faith, Back, Going, Unknown

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Parenting, Memory, Lives, Our Lives

I am often the brunt of my own humor.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Humor, I Am, My Own, Brunt

The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Attitude, Will, Remarkable, Regarding

One of my great goals in life is to live long enough to where I am in the pulpit, preaching my heart out, and I die on the spot, my chin hits the pulpit - boom! - and I'm down and out. What a way to die!

- Charles R. Swindoll

Die, Chin, Boom, Pulpit

Alleged 'impossibilities' are opportunities for our capacities to be stretched.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Impossibilities, Stretched, Alleged

While I was raised around churches and had gotten to know a few preachers fairly well, the thought never entered my head that I would one day stand and deliver. Not only was I not interested, I lived with a major struggle: I stuttered.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Thought, One Day, Gotten, Churches

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

Been, However, We Cannot, Halt

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

Goal, Grow, Crowd, Suggested

Prejudice is a learned trait. You're not born prejudiced; you're taught it.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Born, Taught, Learned, Prejudiced

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Difference, Something Good, Between

Sometimes I wake up before dawn, and I love sitting up in the middle of the bed with all the lights off, pitch-black dark, and talking to the Father, with no interruptions and nothing that reminds me that there's anything in life but me and Him.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Love, Bed, Before, Lights

I want to preach till the last breath in my lungs runs out.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Breath, Last, Till, Lungs

When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Vision, Rather, Optimistic, Pessimistic

The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it's a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Thoughts, Living, Set, Programming

The world has changed and it's going to keep changing, but God never changes; so we are safe when we cling to Him.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Changes, Changing, Going, Cling

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

- Charles R. Swindoll

People, My Life, Real, Cracks

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Great, Impossible, Series, Faced

A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Family, Living, Hammered, Everyday

There is plenty of television. There are plenty of talk shows. There are plenty of comedians. But there is not plenty of worship of the true and living God.

- Charles R. Swindoll

Living, Comedians, Shows, Worship

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

Communication, Average, More, Group

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