Pressure carries multiple meanings: 1) continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it, 2) the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something, and 3) an attempt to persuade or coerce someone into doing something.

There is no doubt leadership comes with a strong element of pressure. The issue really becomes how to handle or deal with the pressure when it arises within leadership.

Working to equip the next generation in this area might work in the reverse. We may find ourselves learning from the next generation how to handle the pressure that leaders face today. Here are a few thoughts to consider.

The best avenue for approaching pressure is fervent prayer. God listens.

Recognize that pressure is part of leadership. It will come.

Learn to relieve pressure through activity. Exercise is a great place to start.

Create expectations that are achievable and be cautious about being unrealistic.

Break the big chunks into smaller ones and focus on one at a time.

Never forget that trials in life serve to perfect us into the people God wants and needs us to be in service to Him and others.

Last week, we discussed the challenge of equipping the next generation to lead. As noted on Friday, there are a number of steps that are essential to lay the proper foundation.

If there is one step that enables us to consider the proper direction, it is prayer. Nothing is more foundational. We must pray for guidance and ask God to help us equip the next generation to lead.

Read the accounts in the Old Testament where Joshua and Israel marched into Canaan. Every time they did not seek prior counsel with God, consequences were incurred.

If we feel we can rely on the past, some form of “wingin’ it,” or a laissez faire approach in our efforts, we are already defeated.

We also need to know that it will take more than a casual mention of the need when we think of it. We must be fervent, diligent, persistent, and plead with God to help us, because of the consequences if we do not.

Think seriously about the nature of the situation and start praying now about how we can take the next step to achieve our purpose.

Few subjects hold the amount of significance and weight as the subject in today’s post. Without a doubt, a desperate need exists for more and greater leaders today.

A number of books address the next generation of leaders and how the future of the home, country, corporate world, and, above all, church requires our attention in this area. However, a major downfall is found in the approach to succession planning for the next generation.

What are we doing to prepare the next generation of leaders? Have we considered the consequences currently experienced in the church because previous generations lacked a plan? Are we willing to passively watch from the sidelines as another generation arises without the proper preparation and tools to lead?

We have much to consider and the longer we procrastinate the more difficult the journey becomes to equip the next generation of leaders.

A number of steps are essential to lay the foundation and walk into the future equipped to meet the problem head on and change the direction of tomorrow for the next generation. Next week, we will examine several steps needed for this foundation.

We all desire happiness, but what determines our happiness? Dale Carnegie once said, “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”

The discussion of what it takes to bring happiness is unending. Books, articles, blog posts, along with every other form of social media, tries to provide the answer to happiness.

Sadly, where most look for happiness is in one or more of three areas: 1) what we do (happiness comes with success), 2) what we have (happiness comes with material possessions or money), and 3) what others say about us (happiness comes with image or status).

Happiness is rarely associated with what we think. Yet, even God identifies the need for us to let our minds dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, things of excellence and anything worthy of praise.

Leadership can change the direction of happiness in the lives of others by leading with this mindset and helping others learn how to think on the right things.

The eye is an amazing part of the human body. We do not have enough space to cover the complex intricacies of the eye.

However, as we begin to age, it is fairly common (somewhere around 40-ish) that our arm does not extend quite far enough to read the print on the page.

Two conditions normally occur around this time of life: 1) near-sightedness – the ability to see things up close, but not far away, and 2) far-sightedness – the ability to see things far away, but not up close.

In a spiritual sense, leaders must avoid both conditions. Leaders need the ability to see what is going on up close around them, knowing the present needs that exist. They must also have the kind of vision that makes it possible to see what will occur down the road. Perhaps the appropriate term is “insight.”

Leadership insight demonstrates the ability to see both near and far and makes it possible to address current needs and plan for the future in ways to overcome the obstacles in order to achieve success.