“May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
I was shooting to finish Ray Johnston’s book, The Hope Quotient, before 2014 ended, but because the holidays have its way of diving into previously set schedules, that didn’t exactly flourish. I finished this on the first day of 2015. A good way to start the new year, I’d say. 🙂
Move over, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ), Bayside Church Pastor Ray Johnston puts his foot down as he makes a compelling case on Hope Quotient (HQ), being the one thing that makes the difference. Ray Johnston gave the whole book in one sentence – “thriving people thrive for one reason – they commit to things that produce inner strength and hope.”
Hope goes beyond a feeling of elation. It is a by-product of the 7 Key Factors that Johnston enumerated:
1: Recharge Your Batteries Nobody does well running on empty.
2: Raise Your Expectations You don’t get what you deserve; you get what you expect.
3: Refocus on the Future It’s time to throw away your rearview mirror. No one goes forward well when they are looking back.
4: Play to Your Strengths Be yourself; everyone else is taken.
5: Refuse to Go It Alone Never underestimate the power of support. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.
6: Replace Burnout with Balance Burning the candle at both ends isn’t as bright as you think.
7: Play Great Defense Avoid these five toxic hope killers that can threaten your future.
“Get back up. The game’s not over.”
Johnston caps his very inspiring book with a story of a boy’s (now a Chicago pastor) first day to play Little League baseball. He struck out but his dad and the rest of his family conspired to make it one of the best days of his life. He aptly entitled this chapter of the book, “Conspiracy of Grace.”
How many times in life have we screwed up? The dad in that story is much like God who conspires to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) We fall so many times but as we continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, we are given a hope that does not disappoint.
“The solution to everything is not the right religion. It’s not the right ritual. It is the right person. That person, for your life, is Jesus Christ.” – Ray Johnston
The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston is one of books I’ll definitely go back to when I need a helping or two of encouragement. Highly recommended! Please feel free to click on the thumbnail link below to buy the book on Amazon. 🙂
