10 Strategies for Christian Influence/Leadership

2. 10 Strategies for Christian Influence/Leadership How to increase flavor and shine brighter, #3 Develop an Optimistic Faith

3. “Keen intellect, business competence, and strong interpersonal skills are essential leadership qualities. But one quality that makes a difference… is the ability to remain optimistic in the face of daunting adversity.”- Dennis PerkinsLeading at the Edge

4. 3 Truisms for Sharing One’s Faith • 0ptimism proceeds from faith, confidence, and conviction. • People must believe in YOU before they will believe what you say. • Before you can instill faith in others, you first need to find it in yourself.

5. 3 Facts about a Positive, Optimistic Faith • An optimistic faith can be learned

6. Hebrews 11:1 • Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. YOU are in charge of YOUR convictions.

7. “Self-Talk” is Human Nature 2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, Proverbs 23:7 for as he calculates in his soul, so is he…

8. “Whether you say you can, or whether you say you can’t, you’re right!”- Henry Ford

9. “Optimists do better than pessimists and their success rate is greater than objective data (such as SAT scores) would predict.” - Dr. Mardin SeligmanPioneer of the ABCDE “Learned Optimism” method

10. 3 Truisms for Sharing One’s Faith • Optimism proceeds from faith, confidence, and conviction. • People must believe in YOU before they will believe what you say. • Before you can instill faith in others, you first need to find it in yourself.

11. “I never allow myself to become discouraged under any circumstances.” - Thomas Edison

12. 3 Facts about a Positive, Optimistic Faith • An optimistic faith can be learned • A positive faith is contagious

13. How Do We “Infect” Others With A Positive, Optimistic Faith? • Put on a good face The perceived attitude of a leader is a powerful force that can create energy and optimism, or fear. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

14. Matthew 14:26-29 • But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. He infected Peter / empowered him

15. John 7:46 • The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” Infected His enemies / paralyzed them

16. John 8:5-9 • And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Infected the aggressors / calmed them

17. John 14:1-3 • “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. Infected His friends / strengthened them

18. How Do We “Infect” Others With A Positive, Optimistic Faith? • Put on a good face • Look beyond the goals of the moment People gravitate to hope, victory, and a future. Many have none.

19. Hebrews 6:19 • We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, Hope is an anchor

20. Romans 15:13 • May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Hope is tied to joy and peace

21. 2 Corinthians 3:12 • Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, Hope is the root of confidence

22. 3 Facts about a Positive, Optimistic Faith • An optimistic faith can be learned • A positive faith is contagious • An optimistic faith needs an optimistic viewpoint

23. “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed.” - Thomas Edison

24. What is your viewpoint? • One view of the gospel is that it is “out-gunned.”

25. Romans 8:31-32 • What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can beagainst us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

26. What is your viewpoint? • One view of the gospel is that it is “out-gunned.” • One view of trouble is that we’re all alone.

27. James 1:2-4 • Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

28. What is your viewpoint? • One view of the gospel is that it is “out-gunned.” • One view of trouble is that we’re all alone. • One view of obedience is that we can’t do it unless the checkbook says we can.

29. NOT speaking of just SAYING it will be alright • Consider the challenge • Consider the facts - both positive and negative • Maintain the faithful stance

30. Colossians 1:23 • if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creationunder heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

31. Shine Brighter & Taste Better With Faithful Optimism • Learn it • Share it • Make it your viewpoint