Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is...
...Better than the mighty!
He that governs his spirit is...
...Better than he that can conquer a city!
I believe it was once said by a famous adventurer concerning climbing Mt. Everest, “You can’t conquer a mountain. You conquer your fears, your doubts, your own limitations…you conquer yourself!”
There have been many mighty men throughout history who were unable to do this. They had great ambitions of grandeur and conquest, but lacked in their ability to conquer the greatest mountain of all; their own hearts. There is a difference between a benevolent king and a malevolent tyrant. Both are conquerors, but only one conquers his heart, his emotions, and his spirit.
What do our emotions have in common with our leadership ability? Everything!! It determines the kind of effectiveness, that we as leaders, will be able to achieve. A couple of key factors that gives us this value of self-control is……#1 A very clear perspective of the true reason as to…why we lead… #2 A deep and stable understanding of…how we are to lead. Leadership is a service we give, not a privilege that we get. It is esteeming the things of others…more than that of yourself. It is really…in many ways… fathering others…and securing their success.
However, we cannot give what we do not possess! Too often when leaders and managers try to operate outside of the realm of their abilities…they attempt to compensate and cover up this void by manipulating people through anger, intimidation, and a heavy-handed style of leadership. Instead, they should just humbly serve others within the realm of gifts that they presently do possess…and wait patiently until God works into their lives the ones that they do not!
The final question we need to ask ourselves is… “Do we want to accomplish great things, or do we want to truly become great people?” Can we have both? Of course we can! However, it is not necessarily true that one will automatic transpire along with the other. There could be a tremendous contrast between our personal accomplishments and our personal character. It takes great ability and determination to build a company, a family, or a nation. However, it takes a greater level of integrity to maintain this success and growth. Vision certainly builds any enterprise, but values will ultimately establish it.
So let us build…let us live…and let us lead…by the grace and wisdom of God Almighty…and by doing so…we will not only accomplish great things…but in the process…conquer the mountain of our own hearts…and in the process become a great people!