Let’s begin another mini-series and look at who leaders are. To begin, let me state that leaders are hopeful.
A friend of mine just published a fantastic new book and devotional series called The Hope Quotient. In this book, Pastor Ray Johnston describes in great detail the seven things that one needs to do to live a hope-filled life and in turn, become a funnel of hopeful blessings for everyone with whom they come in contact. Along with the terrific book is an online video series which lasts for 50 days and includes a daily devotional and a wide variety of speakers who provide insights into God’s Word and how to be more hope-filled. At the end of the 50 days, you may even want to start it all over again – at least I did! I strongly recommend this book and the online video devotional.
One of the things I really appreciate from Pastor Ray’s book is when he states, “The polar opposite of hope is discouragement. It acts like a lead weight around your neck. When you feel discouraged, you lose buoyancy and sink. Nothing good comes from sinking!” If you agree, say amen! Then Ray says, “Discouragement is always circumstantial. It always has a cause.” As I examine the times when I am discouraged, I can see that Ray is right. There is usually something that has happened that has shaken my foundation and I am allowing the shock waves to instill fear in my life and make me discouraged. Of course, the whole book provides ways to overcome this, but a key point is the importance of keeping our eyes forward and focusing on the future because circumstances change! Ray quotes Oswald Chambers, who wrote, “Beware of spending too much time looking back at what you once were when God wants you to become something you have never been.” Again, say amen!
So, I ask you. As a leader, are you hopeful? Do you look forward and see a wonderful vision of the life you want to live and the purpose you want to fulfill? Sometimes it’s easy to get down and discouraged when things don’t go exactly as we planned. Sometimes there are circumstances which we can’t control, or people with whom we struggle. But the key is to look to the future and let your forward momentum help pull you through whatever difficult circumstances you are experiencing. If you only view the world around you in the present tense, it can be very hard to be hopeful, and without hope, you may never get through whatever it is that is discouraging you. Forward view is a must-have behavior. Without it you’re stuck, and the discouragement will remain.
Leader, look forward with hope. Hope that God has a new situation or a new you in mind, if you will only keep stepping toward it. It will do you well and you will model being hope-filled to the people who are watching and following you.
Lead well.