Tag: Life

Finding Our Strength (Part 2)

Where does the strength we need come from when we find ourselves in difficult times? Consider two possibilities.

1) Find a way to express your feelings and share the burden with someone. One of the most helpful avenues to find strength is through expression, which can take numerous forms: writing, singing, talking, physical activity, and more.

2) Remember God’s goodness and trust He knows our plight. An area that provides strength is memory. The ability to remember is a precious gift. While we often remember the negative side of life, we also remember God’s providential blessings. He will see us through.

Being the Right Leader

How many times has it been said in relationships, “If only I could find the right person?”

Gloria Steinem once said, “Far too many people are looking for the right person, instead of trying to be the right person.”

If not careful, we can spend all our time searching for the right person, when all we can do is focus on being the right person.

We should focus our life on being the right person and allow that pursuit to direct every attitude, decision, action, and word.

When it does, we will discover the right people will find us.

Take the Risk

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is an idiom related to risk. Few areas in life witness true and great success without some level of risk.

The willingness to take risks opens us up to an area that allows God to demonstrate the greatness of His power, exceeding our ability to think.

Instead of hiding behind a fear that inhibits our growth and development as the church, leaders need to explore the possibilities of what can happen if we just allow God to work through us, beyond the comfort zones of our past traditions and extend our abilities into areas that promise faith and hope.

The Leadership App

We’ve all heard the phrase, “There’s an app for that.” No matter what happens in life, or what need might exist, there is an app for it.

There are apps that deal with health, fitness, world news, travel, banking, social media, photography, weather, education, leadership, and the list is unending. You may be reading today’s post from an app.

More to the point: when you consider the far reaching nature of your leadership, are you influencing others in areas concerning life’s circumstances and their various needs?

Imagine the impact if they knew that you were a resource they could turn to instead of a technological device.

Mastering Life

We all want control of what happens to us, but is it even possible? We have the ability to control our attitude, but do we cast blame on others in order to justify our circumstances?

Brian Tracy says, “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”

The idea challenges us to master life.

When we conduct an honest self-evaluation, what facts rise to the surface, especially when it comes to the areas that control or masters in our lives?

Flourishing Leadership

We have all experienced times in life where everything and everyone seemed to be against us. Our thoughts raced with anticipated conversations. We thought of the worst possible scenario and in those moments spelled out our own demise. When this happens, the choices seem limited and we tend to make life-altering decisions.

Perhaps we have benefited from a friend who took a moment to call, send a note, or write an e-mail to encourage us in those dark hours.

Leadership flourishes when we provide the same kindness to others who experience the same dark times.

Life expands before us as we seek opportunity to build up those in need.

A Blessing or Lesson

One of my favorite thoughts is credited to Mother Teresa, “Some people come into your life as blessings, others come into your life as lessons.”

I used to tell our kids, “Everyone brings happiness, some when they come and some when they leave. So, live your life in a way that people are happy to see you come.”

What about leadership? Are we a blessing or a lesson?

Our decisions, words, and example leave a powerful influence one way or the other.

Make sure to lead in a way that people are happy to see us.

Defining Moments

Occasionally, there are those events that becoming defining moments in our life. The birth of a child, getting married, graduation, critical decisions on the job, or tragedies are those moments in life that define who we are and influence who we become.

These defining moments vary from one individual to the next and the degree to which they define us is based on what we do in those moments.

The most defining moment in our lives as leaders must be built on the foundation of God. When our relationship with God is the defining moment, the decisions and activities that form the rest of our lives find their proper place.

The Leadership Possibilities

How many times have you thought or heard someone say, “Life doesn’t always go according to plan?”

Susan Gale acknowledges, “Sometimes heading in a new direction can be scary until you realize you’re headed toward a new and exciting destination.”

Imagine what would happen if we exercised a little patience and did not allow the scary nature of a new direction or change in plans distract us from seeing the new and exciting possibilities that might exist around the corner.

Life expands with our ability to demonstrate the kind of flexibility that allows us to take advantage of opportunities when presented. May we always see the possibilities.

Ambitious Leadership

Every leader needs ambition: a strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.

When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he claimed our ambition is to be pleasing to the Lord (2 Co. 5:9).

Imagine the power of leadership when strong desire, determination, and hard work are exerted toward pleasing the Lord.

Ambition based on this purpose will guide every area of life and leadership.

In our homes, on the job, in the community, and within the Lord’s church we show the world we are His disciples when our ambition is to please the Lord.