Learn to Lean On Those Around You
The pressure we sometimes feel as leaders can be overwhelming, but here’s the good news: we don’t have to do it all alone. We don’t have to be superheroes. When I try to solve everything by myself, it generally doesn’t work out great. That’s why the Lord put many people in my life, people who are smarter and better at certain things than I am.
As leaders, we don’t have the option to stay down and discouraged. It’s our responsibility to find strength and courage to pass along encouragement and vision to our teams. Very often, I need help to do this.
Break it down
I am blessed to have so many intelligent and compassionate people in my life, and sometimes I have to evaluate the source of my weariness, so I know who to turn to for advice or counsel.
So when I feel tired, I do a self-assessment in five areas:
How am I doing spiritually?
How am I doing relationally?
How am I doing physically?
How am I doing mentally?
How am I doing financially?
When I process through these with the Lord, I’m generally able to identify the source of any stress, anxiety, or discouragement. Then, once I zero in on it, I know who I need to bring in to help me.
If it’s financial pressure, I know I need to schedule some time with Chad, our Chief Financial Operator. If it’s spiritual discouragement, I go to my wife Tracy or my pastor and friend, Scott. We can tackle bigger issues by including the people around us, like our families and employees.
See, we were never meant to do all we do independently. Instead, we have the Lord, who continually accompanies and guides us. God has also given us people to help us when we feel weak.
Follow the example of Nehemiah and Ezra
In the book of Nehemiah, we see a great example of this. I shared from this passage last week, and God is still teaching me so much through this story.
In Nehemiah 8, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites worked together to encourage and direct the Israelites.
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe,
and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them,
“Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this!
For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.”
Nehemiah 8:9 NLT
Ezra was the pastor, and Nehemiah was the businessman. God used them together to bring restoration and encouragement to the people. They leaned on each other’s expertise to serve people and give direction.
God places people in our lives for a reason
God has uniquely gifted and equipped each of us to do what He places in front of us, and He has given others strengths to complement our own. Therefore, when we are weak, we can rely on others to help us.
I am hopeful and prayerful that as we prioritize spending time with God, evaluate our weak areas, and then invite wise, Spirit-led people in to help us, we will be more encouraged and able to do what lies ahead of us. God has given each of us everything we need, and He promises to be with us in it all.
Are you feeling weak in one of the areas I listed? Who can you bring in to help you?