Robert H. Schuller Quotes

Powerful Robert H. Schuller for Daily Growth

About Robert H. Schuller

Robert H. Schuller (July 16, 1926 – April 2, 2017) was an influential American Christian minister, televangelist, and author renowned for his positive messaging and optimistic outlook. Born in Algona, Iowa, he grew up during the Great Depression, which had a profound impact on his life philosophy emphasizing hope and personal growth. Schuller graduated from Biola University with a degree in Religious Education before earning a Master's Degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. In 1955, he founded the Crystal Cathedral, an iconic glass-and-concrete church in Garden Grove, California, which served as the broadcast center for his weekly televised sermons that reached millions of homes across America. Known for his "possibility thinking" approach, Schuller focused on encouraging individuals to believe in their abilities and pursue their dreams. His most famous work, "Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!", became a bestseller and was one of many books that he authored throughout his career. Schuller's influence extended beyond the religious sphere, as he inspired countless individuals through his optimistic teachings. He passed away in 2017, but his legacy continues to thrive through The Crystal Cathedral Ministries and the Robert H. Schuller Institute for Successful Christian Leadership. His quotes, such as "What you see in life is what you get in life," remain relevant today, embodying his powerful message of hope and perseverance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Tough times never last, but tough people do."

This quote emphasizes resilience in the face of adversity. It suggests that while challenging circumstances (tough times) are inevitable, those who possess strength, determination, and a strong character (tough people) will endure these hardships and eventually overcome them. The message is to maintain persistence and optimism during difficult times, understanding that they will pass, and focusing on personal growth and fortitude in the process.


"What you see in front of you is temporary."

This quote by Robert H. Schuller emphasizes that our current circumstances or challenges are not permanent. It encourages resilience and hope, suggesting that even difficult situations will eventually pass. The focus should be on visualizing a better future, implying that it's essential to keep moving forward with optimism and faith.


"You're never at the mercy of circumstances. You become either their master or victim by your attitude."

This quote suggests that individuals have the power to control how they respond to situations, rather than being helplessly affected by them. In other words, our attitudes can determine whether we are the masters of our circumstances (taking charge and shaping them) or their victims (being controlled by them). It encourages a proactive mindset where one takes responsibility for their reactions and perspective in life, ultimately leading to more empowering outcomes.


"Dream big dreams, for all that stands between you and your dream is the size of your faith."

This quote suggests that one's dreams should be ambitious because the only obstacle between an individual and their aspirations is the extent of their faith. In essence, Schuller is saying that if a person believes strongly enough in their dream, they can overcome any challenges or barriers to make it a reality. It encourages optimism, determination, and unwavering belief in oneself and one's goals.


"Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it."

This quote suggests that our thoughts and beliefs shape our experiences and reality in life. If we think positively, we attract positive outcomes; if we think negatively, we attract negative ones. Essentially, we create our own destiny based on the thoughts we put out into the world, as those thoughts are reflected back to us by life itself.


Tough times never last, but tough people do.

- Robert H. Schuller

Time, Tough Times, Never, Times

Probably the one Bible passage that is read by Jews and Roman Catholics, Protestants, Islam, more than any other chapter is Psalm 23. And in Psalm 23 there is a verse that says, 'Surely, yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.'

- Robert H. Schuller

Through, Other, Surely, Chapter

It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.

- Robert H. Schuller

Positive, Thoughts, Given, Entire

Turn your scars into stars.

- Robert H. Schuller

Stars, Turn, Your, Scars

Negative thinking is subtle and deceptive. It wears many faces and hides behind the mask of excuses. It is important to strip away the mask and discover the real, root emotion.

- Robert H. Schuller

Discover, Behind, Away, Deceptive

If you're going to counsel people - and that's all my ministry is, it's a counseling ministry more than anything else - people have to believe that they can trust you and that they can listen to you, that you're going to try to help them and not just politically try to convert them to your views.

- Robert H. Schuller

Trust, Believe, Politically, Counseling

What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

- Robert H. Schuller

Inspirational, Fail, Would, Great Thing

I realized that every sermon I preached should be designed not to 'teach' or 'convert' people, but rather to encourage them, to give them a lift. I decided to adopt the spirit, style, strategy and substance of a 'therapist' in the pulpit.

- Robert H. Schuller

Teach, Give, Rather, Convert

Anybody who succeeds is helping people. The secret to success is find a need and fill it; find a hurt and heal it; find a problem and solve it.

- Robert H. Schuller

Success Is, Need, Succeeds, Hurt

I was never close to Jerry Falwell because he had his ministry, I had mine. And we came from different theological training and from a different psychological education.

- Robert H. Schuller

Had, Mine, Psychological, Theological

Anytime you get an idea, you need people to help you put it together. That is the beginning of an institution. When you create an institution, levels of authority and boundaries need to be established. If everybody owns it, nobody owns it. If everybody is responsible for it, nobody will be responsible.

- Robert H. Schuller

Need, Everybody, Established, Anytime

I have had more honors than I've deserved and more rewards than I expected. It can be tempting just to say, 'Well, I'm going to retire.' But what would I do then? Sit in a chair and watch TV? Don't let fulfillment throw away your tomorrow.

- Robert H. Schuller

Away, TV, Had, Honors

Today's accomplishments were yesterday's impossibilities.

- Robert H. Schuller

Today, Yesterday, Were, Impossibilities

Twentieth century history of Christianity will name Oral Roberts as the voice that brought the Pentecostal movement to be taken seriously by mainline Christianity.

- Robert H. Schuller

Voice, Will, Brought, Pentecostal

The concept of the megachurch - some have attributed that to me. Whatever people want to buy, they can get it in the shopping center. It's one-stop shopping. Churches should be that way.

- Robert H. Schuller

Some, Concept, Attributed, Churches

Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.

- Robert H. Schuller

Wisdom, Achievement, Always, Spectacular

Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.

- Robert H. Schuller

Patience, Wait, Cut, Decisions

I want to build friendships. I want to come across as being a good illustration of what Jesus is like.

- Robert H. Schuller

Build, Jesus, Across, Illustration

High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.

- Robert H. Schuller

Big, Move, Quickly, Decisions

I'm very proud of all my children. They all have Christian families; they read the Bible; they pray; the kids go to Sunday school; they know the Ten Commandments by heart. That's my greatest honor, and I couldn't do anything to glorify God that could surpass that. That's very meaningful.

- Robert H. Schuller

Honor, Pray, Very, Glorify

I believe that Christians believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. And we believe that if you're saved, Jesus becomes your savior. He makes a promise to you. You can trust his promises. You can bank on that word.

- Robert H. Schuller

Trust, Through, Works, Savior

Goals are not only absolutely necessary to motivate us. They are essential to really keep us alive.

- Robert H. Schuller

Alive, Necessary, Absolutely, Motivate

Goals must never be from your ego, but problems that cry for a solution.

- Robert H. Schuller

Solution, Never, Must, Goals

The Roman Catholic Church isn't going to change its theologies.

- Robert H. Schuller

Church, Going, Roman, Catholic Church

The hardest struggle of all is to be something different from what the average man is.

- Robert H. Schuller

Man, Average, Hardest, Struggle

Every person is responsible for all the good within the scope of his abilities, and for no more, and none can tell whose sphere is the largest.

- Robert H. Schuller

More, Within, Largest, Sphere

Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.

- Robert H. Schuller

Motivational, Stop, Signs, Guidelines

When you can't solve the problem, manage it.

- Robert H. Schuller

Problem, You, Solve, Manage

Our greatest lack is not money for any undertaking, but rather ideas, If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow to where it is needed.

- Robert H. Schuller

Will, Needed, Rather, Flow

I think a good pastor is somebody who is honest and humble and has a really caring heart.

- Robert H. Schuller

Caring, Humble, Think, Pastor

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