Tag: Patience

One Foot in Front of the Other

In our fast paced world, we overlook the simplicity and necessity of this statement?

We want answers now. We want problems resolved quickly.

Leaders often fall into the same trap. It is easy to think the work should move along faster, goals accomplished sooner, and people respond more quickly.

Personal experience has proven that when a particular work starts quickly, it struggles and usually does not last. At the same time, when thought and patience are given to the same work––strategically developing each part of the plan––success is generally forthcoming.

A good rule of thumb is to take it one step at a time.

Deliverance

The ultimate deliverance was accomplished by Jesus at the cross. The result brought deliverance from our bondage to the consequences of sin.

This deliverance is identified as salvation, forgiveness, grace, and the indescribable gift.

It is the result of God’s immeasurable patience and love. Consider the lengths taken by God to provide for our greatest need and think for just a moment.

Our spiritual leadership is defined by it. The souls all around us depend on it.

Patience

The principles of leadership never change. People, however, learn and advance differently. There are those who pick up on the process quickly, while others learn at a slower pace. An effort to rush or force them into places or positions when and where they are not ready only creates frustration for everyone involved.

While patience is a virtue that most everyone desires to have “right now,” the ability to demonstrate patience in the development of others is a treasured quality of leaders.

The beauty of patience, when demonstrated by leaders, is that followers are encouraged to develop in ways that reach their greatest potential.

A Leader’s Purpose

“Leaders are not, as we are often led to think, people who go along with huge crowds following them. Leaders are people who go their own way without caring, or even looking to see, whether anyone is following them. ‘Leadership qualities’ are not the qualities that enable people to attract followers, but those that enable them to do without them. They include, at the very least, courage, endurance, patience, humor, flexibility, resourcefulness, stubbornness, a keen sense of reality, and the ability to keep a cool and clear head, even when things are going badly. True leaders, in short, do not make people into followers, but into other leaders.” John Holt

A Patient Leader

Biblical patience has an object, not patience for the purpose of patience, but for the sake of another.

The obstacles to patience include segmenting, regulating, and hoarding time, as well as, exalting productivity and the desire for speed.

Patience can be cultivated by remembering our relationship with God, including God’s patience with us in those times we were stumbling through life trying to determine our place in God’s redemptive story.

We also cultivate patience by thinking of time differently––as a gift instead of a commodity.

Demonstrating patience helps support the strength of leadership as others are led to see the working of God through Christ in their lives.

Observant

Being observant is essential in leadership. The power of observation is deeply connected to its definition.

Alert: When leaders are alert, they are quick to notice anything unusual or potentially dangerous.

Watchful: Leaders who are carefully watching others and the situation lead out of concern.

Aware: When there is a knowledge or perception of a situation or fact, leaders are aware.

Attentive: To be attentive, leaders must pay close attention to someone or something.

The basis for successful leadership is found in being observant, and this kind of leadership is not easy. It requires diligence, time, patience, and great love.

Test of Character

John W. Holt, Jr. said, “The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.”

Testing one’s character is powerful and needed.

The main thought here is specifically about how leaders behave when they don’t know what to do.

The qualities of patience, understanding, thoughtful reflection, and being cautious are important. Rashly made decisions without the proper foundation often result in serious consequences which could be avoided.

Learning to seek the counsel of others who have walked the same paths can open leaders up to greater wisdom, possible alternatives, and new angles of consideration.

Are You Ready?

Procrastination can be destructive in a leader’s life.

We often convince ourselves we are not quite ready, and so we wait…and wait.

I appreciate a statement from Lemony Snicket, ”If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”

If we decide to wait, what exactly will it take for us to get ready? More money or education? Greater opportunity? Time?

How will we know if we are ready?

There are times when patience is a virtue, times when waiting a little longer is beneficial. However, if we wait until we are ready, we may never be ready.

Patient Leaders

Successful leadership does not consist of leading people the same way, because people are not the same.

Timber Hawkeye says, ”Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force them open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.”

People learn and advance differently. Some advance quickly, while others learn more slowly. An effort to rush or force them when and where they are not ready only creates frustration for everyone.

While most everyone desires patience… right now, the ability to demonstrate patience in the development of others is a treasured quality for leaders.

Enduring Leaders

Endurance is often challenging. To endure involves bearing up under the load, far more than being patient.

While we are to be patient, to endure takes us to a level that challenges our ability to hold on, and hold on longer than we can imagine.

What will help us endure these challenges?

Remember, “If God brings us to it, He will see us through it.”

God is faithful. He is with us and He is for us (Rom. 8:31-39)!

No matter how difficult, do not forget that challenges are temporary.

With proper perspective we can endure, especially knowing our God is in control.