My wife and I have a saying – it’s never easy. Doesn’t it just seem that every step of the way in life there are problems and obstacles of various degrees? They come in all shapes and sizes and caused by people, circumstances and mistakes. The question is not whether life’s problems are going to come our way, the question is how are we going to deal with them? It is Essential for the Godly Leader to employ several key Godly principles when leading and dealing with life’s struggles.
#1 – GODLY LEADERS DIG DEEP TO FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
Is it a person, a system, a sin, a relationship, a lack of resources, and the list goes on? Digging in to truly find the root of the problem is Essential. An example of this is found in relationship problems. Way too often Godly Leaders are swayed by the person they’re talking to. They hear that person’s perspective of problem X, their empathy button kicks on and they believe exactly what is being said about the problem. It’s great to have empathy, but it’s also Essential to have discernment!
Proverbs 18:17 reminds us that, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”
Godly Leaders recognize that typically there are 3 sides to every argument and problem. One person’s side, another person’s side and then the truth. It is Essential for the Godly Leader to hear both sides, dig deep and find the truth and the root of the problem.
Just like relationship problems, it is Essential for the Godly Leader to dig into any problem and issue and figure out the root cause and the facts.
#2 – GODLY LEADERS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PART OF THE PROBLEM.
There’s an old adage that when you point your finger at someone else there are 4 fingers pointing back at you. (That’s how the saying goes, but it’s actually 3 because your thumb is pointing up – try it!). Godly Leaders know that it is their responsibility to take responsibility and not to point fingers. People that point fingers don’t realize the lack of leadership they’re showing and how everyone sees through that tactic.
Part of your role as leaders is to take responsibility for what happens on our teams and on our watch. It may be a problem caused by someone else, but as a leader, it’s on you. Your job is to prepare and train to avoid as many problems as possible, but when they occur to take responsibility and then work to resolve and fix the problem.
Godly Leader, when problems come, and they do and will, be honest, be vulnerable, be a leader and take responsibility.
#3 – GODLY LEADERS RAMP UP PRAYER AND LEAD THROUGH PRAYER.
When the going gets tough…Godly Leaders get going with prayer.
My wife and I were in a terrible car accident a few years ago. By God’s grace we had minor bumps and bruises but the car was totaled after spinning across 5 lanes of busy traffic with 7 air bags deployed. I was driving, had hydroplaned and said, “oh no!”, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles were white. My wife, however, kicked into emergency prayer mode – she was yelling out over and over, “Jesus protect us! Jesus protect us! Jesus protect us!” When problems come, our default needs to be more like my wife Rachel’s response and not mine – calling to God immediately for help. Too many leaders grip the wheel harder, work harder and try to figure things out on their own.
It is Essential that we realize and recognize what Psalm 46 tells us that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” When problems arise, come first to the one who is always there – Jesus protect us!
#4 – GODLY LEADERS MOVE TOWARD RESOLUTION AS SOON AS IT MAKES SENSE.
There is a wisdom and discernment needed in Godly Leadership. There are times for quick decisive action when there’s a problem. For me, that’s where I try to have immediate prayer kicks in as I go and make decisions.
When possible, I employ one of my life axioms is, buying time. Buying time allows some vision and discernment of the problem to develop, to do more homework, consider multiple options, seek Godly counsel, pray more extensively and more. Again, it’s not always possible, but buying time could help you get to the best resolution and most Godly resolution.
#5 – GODLY LEADERS TALK TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME ON THE RIGHT PATH.
Plain and simple, it is Essential for Godly Leaders to know this communication path well and are verbally disciplined to stay on it. When problems arise, it’s easy to get blabber mouth on things and that really helps no one. Think and pray through who are the right people to seek information from, counsel from and who needs to know what, when. In many cases, writing down this pathway will be helpful as will making sure the key players in the struggle know the communication plan also. Many problems have become much larger and difficult because a well meaning leader chose to talk about a problem to people and in places that never should have been communicated to.
We could talk a lot more on this topic, but we’ll leave it there for now. What are your thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comments. If you found this blog helpful or thought-provoking, please subscribe below to receive a new weekly blog in your email on Tuesday morning. Also, if you think this blog would be helpful for others, please share it on social media or tell a few friends about it!
Love being on this Essential Godly Leadership journey with you!
Essential Godly Leadership: “Leading your life, your family, your work, your relationships, and your world in a way that is seeking wisdom from, and pleasing to, the Lord Jesus.”