“Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done.” Bo Bennett

Eliminating the word “can’t” from our vocabulary is vital to the development of strong leadership. We have all heard someone say, and perhaps said ourselves, “it can’t be done.”

The limitations built around this word paralyze the growth and development of God’s people: individually and collectively.

How many avoid the opportunity to teach a class, preach a sermon, lead a prayer, take a mission trip, help someone in need, or stretch their education by using the word – “can’t.”

Instead of shackling ourselves with these limitations, consider the difference made by realizing what can be done. With God, all things are possible.

The way we see our families, the church, the world, and even ourselves takes on a new perspective when we realize what we can do.

We must never approach our development as Moses; “who am I that I should go and deliver this people?”

Instead, we need the Isaiah syndrome; “Here am I, send me.”

Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Contentment has a positive and negative perspective when placed along side the concepts framing leadership.

The thought has been expressed in various ways, one of which is to “always be content with where we are, but never who we are.”

The idea is to accept and be content with what we have and where we are in life, but we should always hunger to grow and improve in our personal development.

Concerning contentment as it relates to material possessions, Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “Content makes poor men rich and discontent makes rich men poor.”

A little research reveals a host of information regarding an application to personal growth and development as leaders. Several websites focus on the “learning leader.”

There is a place for contentment, but let us never allow contentment to follow a path of complacency and a “comfortable with the status quo” way of thinking.

The spiritual application is related to several passages, such as Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi (Phil. 4:11-12). The contrast in being content or discontent makes the difference in how we approach the future of leadership.

Some of the greatest lessons on leadership are based on biblical precedents. These lessons are designed to help us follow biblical teaching and practice God’s design for leaders in every generation.

One of the precedents, as simple and overused as it may be, involves the nature of our influence. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16).

Throughout the letters written to specific individuals and the various churches of God’s people, the word salt is used twice (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12). In both passages the use of salt is connected to the tongue. The use of the tongue is powerful. Words spoken carelessly and without thought can destroy our influence and once destroyed is difficult, if not impossible, to regain.

In the context of Matthew 5, Jesus identifies the use of light as it is reflected in our actions, the good works seen by others who will glorify God. The significance of what we do preaches a stronger lesson than what we say. A picture paints a thousand words.

The nature of our words and actions establish leadership precedent worthy of following.

Depending on how our word of the week is pronounced, it could be extraordinary or extra – ordinary. The idea involves the unusual or remarkable.

The reason this word stands out is because of how God works through ordinary men and women in the Bible and makes them extraordinary.

Consider the “burning bush.” Intrigued with this sight, Moses approached to examine what he had never seen before. Here, on God’s mountain, he learned how something as ordinary as a bush can be extraordinary when it is on fire with divine activity.

We are just ordinary human beings. There is nothing special about any of us, until God becomes a part of the equation. This is where our influence changes and leadership begins..

When we are on fire with the divine activity of God in our lives, everything changes. This is not a miraculous intervention, sign, or demonstration of the paranormal. Rather, it is simply an understanding of who God is and what He has done for us, having delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

Now that is extraordinary.

One of the strongest and most exciting areas of developing any project is the beginning. The morale and enthusiasm are high as the wheels begin turning.

There is something about the grand opening, the starting gun, the first day, or the kick off that strikes at the heart of people to get them on board.

Because we are often a short-sighted and an immediate satisfaction oriented people, the long range goals seldom come to fruition.

Weariness, stress, slow movement, and discouragement set in and cause us to forget or lose sight of the excitement the original goals provided. This is true for individuals and congregations.

In leadership circles, the idea of finishing well is becoming more prevalent. We need leaders who know how to start and finish well.

Satan does not mind our starting if he knows he can cause us to stop before the finish line. Scripture emphasizes the need for us to endure and be faithful until death.

Instead of giving way to the pressures of accommodating the latest “whim” in the religious world, let us stay the course and finish well.

“With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” Wayne W. Dyer

We are presented with numerous choices surrounding life’s events. We know people (we may be one) that become bitter at the difficulties which can challenge and cause them to leave their faith.

We also know of people who face giants when it comes to the trials of life and they choose to remain strong in and dedicated to their faith.

The difference is a choice. As the thought expresses we can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or look at the circumstances as an opportunity to grow into the person God desires of us.

James points out that these trials are instrumental in making us complete, so that we are lacking in nothing (Jas. 1:2-4).

Considering Job we find an example of a godly man who did not sin, nor did he blame God. Let us lead with such focus.

Most of us have heard this phrase at some point in life. The idea is to take advantage of an opportunity quickly.

As we have expressed before, an opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.

Leadership involves the ability to see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.

Few people would turn down the opportunity to double an investment in a short period of time. When the presentation is skillfully done and the stakes are guaranteed we know the advantage of striking while the iron is hot. This may be the only opportunity we are given.

The same is true spiritually, however, we have to consider two significant questions: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to the souls around us? 2) Do we want to take advantage of the opportunities God presents?

Unless we see the possibilities and want to take advantage of the opportunities the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus fades to indifference.

Seek, Ask, and Knock.

A precedent occurs when a previous event or action becomes an example or guide that is considered for similar circumstances in the future.

The idea beautifully describes the nature of teaching throughout scripture.

Paul stated that “whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction” (Rom. 15:4) and the events of the Old Testament “happened as examples for us” (1 Co. 10:6).

Throughout scripture we learn both what should be done and what should not be done based on a precedent established.

By the definition provided, application of biblical events and actions are powerful examples that should and must be considered for similar circumstances in the future. The terminology we often use is “if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.”

Some of the greatest lessons on leadership are based on these biblical precedents. Over the next few weeks we want to examine a few of these precedents, as they apply to leadership, for the purpose of helping learn areas we need to consider when we face the same situations today.

The most common idea associated with this week’s word is an attitude or mindset of having no fear, or the absence of fear.

We need to consider, however, another possibility as it relates to the direction of leadership.

The idea is to reverse the order of the word, considering the approach of having less fear.

There is an element of doubt when thinking that a leader will have no fear or even eliminate fear. Various events in life and leadership will always create times of fear. During those times we can demonstrate less fear, but what makes it possible to do so? Read Hebrews 11:1 – 12:4.

Enduring life’s challenges is an ability strengthened by victorious faith. Understand that others have also overcome; see the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.

Trust that God will keep His promise. He will see us through every trial; run with endurance the race that is set before us.

No matter how great the obstacle, at its best it is still temporary; keep your eyes fixed on Jesus…who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and despised the shame.

In a harsh 21st century world the power behind a word spoken in kindness gives the nature of leadership the greatness God desires.

The value of speaking with kindness benefits every level of a leader’s influence. When a word is spoken with kindness several results occur.

The desire to achieve what benefits the other person is demonstrated as a priority.

The value or worth of the individual is raised to a level of importance for both people involved.

The biblical expression of the fruit of the Spirit testifies to the development of Christlike qualities.

The goal of unity among brethren is exemplified as Christians strive to serve one another.

The example of Christ’s sacrifice is characterized by the sacrificial actions of His disciples.

The outreach to a world of nonChristians is built upon a foundation of love reflecting the nature of God.

More could be said about the power of a word spoken in kindness. Kindness requires us to get our personal agendas, preconceived ideas, desires, and motivations out of the way so our Christian light can be displayed, and God will be glorified.