The Esther Effect...book review summary by Dianna BooherShare

"WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE NOT COME TO THIS KINGDOM FOR SUCH A ATIME AS THIS?
-Mordecai to Esther, Esther 4:14

Every woman wields influence- for either good or bad. And each of us faces situations in which our actions can mean the difference between a tragic or miraculous outcome. In this lively and timely book, popular author Dianna Booher reveals that like the biblical Queen Esther who saved her nation from certain annihiliation, Christian woman are called to pivotal decision-making and bold behavior.

In these pages, meet modern Esthers such as Nadia, who modeled patience, prayer, and love despite heart-wrenching circumstances; Susan and Fran, who spoke out against unethical activity in their workplaces; and Margaret, who taught giggling preteens how to serve. And meet the original Esther as well to discover her seven secrets for becoming a "high-impact woman"- someone who dynamically affects others with her courage, confidence, control, communication, character, connections, and calmness.

The need for caring, proactive women in our country has never been greater. Booher contends, "God's provision for others is not in care packages falling from the sky, but in the hands and hearts of believers on earth. When God provides those opportunities, it's our privelege to be the delivery gals." Come meet some of God's best examples and find out how to start your own Esther Effect.

"The Esther Effect is the impact you have when God places you in a situation in which you can encourage or influence others or change the course of events."

The Esther Effect: The Seven Secrets of Self- Confidence and Influence

Secret #1: Self- Confidence-Generating Passion about Your Purpose/ Self-Confidence generates passion about your purpose and expands your influence on others.

"There is no end to the influence of women on our life. It is at the bottom of everything that happens to us."-Benjamin Disraeli

"If I can put one touch of a rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God."- George MacDonald

"The people who influence us are those who have stood unconsciously for the right thing; they are like the stars and the lilies, and the joy of God flows through them all the time."-Oswald Chambers

"It is better to light a canlde than to curse the darkness."-Eleanor Roosevelt

"God's provisions for others come not in care packages falling from the sky, but through the hands and hearts of believers on earth. It's our privilege to be God's delivery guy or gal."

"The only difference between biblical Queen Esther an us or our friends is the unique situations God places us in and the actions we take."

"To have an impact on others, you have to believe you can have an impact on others."

"Modern-day Esthers base their self-confidence not on their past, but on their faith that God is in control of their future."

"Be humble, that's not just good childhood advice; it's biblical."

"Confidence creates more than charisma. It cracks open our future."

"Passion pushes us to contribute to others' lives, to change situations, to champion causes, to make believers."

"Being emotional may actually be one of the best things a woman has going for her."

"To have an Esther effect, both of your confidence and your emotional energy have to kick in."

Secret #2:Self-Control- Timing As You Prepare to Take the Turnpike of Life/Exercise Self-Control to plan your Esther Effect, then patiently wait on God's perfect timing. No day or year of your life is trivial; its' simply preparation for your next opportunity."

"Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's will."- Robert Collier

"Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."
-Thomas Carlye

"Patiently waiting on God's timing can make the difference between a welcome response, and prayed for outcome and loads of frustration."

"God doesn't waste our time, experiences, relationships, or education. He has plans for us to put into practice."


Secret #3 Courage-Facing Risk and Making Decisions by Design, Not Default/ Courage means acting decisively, even while taking risk, in whatever way God directs you. Make decisions by design rather than default.

"Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount." -Clare Boothe Luce

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"- Romans 8:31

"Wisdom is knowning what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it."
-David Starr Jordan

"When praying, do not give God instructions-report for duty."-Anonymous

"Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage comes in the face of fear."

"Courage grows when stretched."

"Sometimes, the bigger the Esther Effect you want to have, the bigger the fear."

"What if you do not feel courageous? Pretend to. No one but God can tell the difference. And He doesn't care. Just act."

"Sometimes even our smallest acts of courage spur others into action. And their courageous acts, in turn, have an even larger impact on others."

Secret #4 Communication-Encouraging and Influencing through Conversation/ When you listen first and then speak your heart with clarity and courtesy, you can lead others to change attitudes, behaviors, and situations.

"Not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." -Sala

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." -Proverbs 25:11

"Correction does much, but encouragment does more. Encouragment after censure is as the sun after a shower."-Johanna Wolfgang Von Goethe

"A single conversation across the table with a wise man is owrth a mont's study of books."
- Chinese Proverb

"A helping word to one in trouble is often like a switch on a railroad track-but one inch between a wreck and smooth rolling prosperity."-Harriet Ward Beecher

"Listening is the shortest route ot the nonbeliever's heart."

"Negative, antagonistic people provoke nonbelievers to resist them, not to follow them. Positive people attract others to God."

"The Esther Effect demands truth said in love and with respect."

Secret #5 Character-Passion under Pressure for Moral Impact/Character dictates our attitudes and actions under pressure. And strong character influences others more than clever words, wealth, or wisdom ever could.

"If I take care of my character, my repuation will take care of itself."-Dwight L. Moody

"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds."-George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

"If you would create something, you must be something."-Johann Wolfgagn Von Goethe

"A crisis does not make character; a crisis reveals character."-Oswald Chambers

"Your character influences others far more than your clever words, wealth, or wisdom ever could."

"Your biggest opportunity to have the Esther Effect could be your strong character in handling adversity, hurt, and disappointments in your life."

"In today's culture, some people think moral responsibility means picking up their munchies mess at the movies."

"When you see wrong running rampant in your sphere of influence, its' a question worth asking often: Has God placed me here for "such a time as this"?

Secret #6 Connection- Standing Together for Strength and Impact/ Emotional connection-to those in need, our support group, non believers, and those around us- helps us take courageous action for Christ.

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Kind looks, kind words, kind acts, and warm handshakes- these are secondary means of grace when men are in troubleand are fighting their unseen battles."-John Hall

"Encouragment is oxygen to the soul."-George A. Adams

"During our tough times, Esther friends in our support group urge us to make the right, though difficult, decisions that we might not be able or willing to make on our own."

"Emotional connection gives people ears to hear what a disconnected mind might not."

"No place is too confining, no platform too small, and no calendartoo full to have The Esther Effect."

Secret #7 Calm Assurance- The Quiet before the Alarm/ Calm Assurance in the face of injustice comes from knowing that God is in control of the future.

"Actions are ours; their consequences belong to heaven."-Sir P. Francis

"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." -Ecclesiastes 11:1

"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"- Genesis 18:25

"The problem is our impatience."

"Injustice feels like an itch you can't scratch."

"We often get angry at God for not getting in the boat with us in the middle of the storm."

"God has a vested interest in meeting our needs- He wants to use us to accomplish His purposes."

"Queen Esther's legacy is a Godly woman's impact on those around her!

"Who Has Been an Esther in Your Life?"

"It is good for us to think no grace or blessing truly ours til we are aware that God has blessed someone else with it through us.""-Phillip Brooks

"Blessed is the influence of one ture loving soul on another."-George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

An ironic thing about women who have the Esther Effect on others is this: They often don't know it. (Their humility is yet another reflection of their strong character.)

I pray you've had the opporutunity to recall those who've had the Esther Effect in your life and to let them know it: a teacher, a neighbor, a parent, a friend, a co-worker, a politician, a coach, a church leader, a sister, a boss, a doctor, a nurse, an aunt.

Finally, my prayer is that you'll be aware when God provides you the opportunity to encourage or influence others or to change the course of events in your home, your workplace, or your community.