If you run in Christian circles, you’ll often hear talk of the wars we’re facing. These are not just the physical battles but also the spiritual battles raging around us.
Sometimes, I get burnt out with the militaristic language used. It feels like everything is a threat. So, I’m not using the word war lightly in this article. I believe there are wars leaders face day in and day out. These are wars we need to win.
If we don’t win these wars, we become weak, ineffective, maybe even defective leaders. Let’s take a look at the wars leaders need to win.
4 Wars Leaders Need To Win
1. The war inside your mind:
Our minds can twist our thoughts. They can make us feel as if we don’t belong. Or can’t accomplish anything.
The thoughts that swirl around can either make or break us.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think on these things.
Think about that… We’re led in scripture to control what we think about. Where we focus. We should not focus on the negative thoughts trying to invade our minds. Instead, we’re supposed to focus on the good. The honorable. The pure.
When’s the last time you’ve taken control of your mind and focused on these areas when you’re feeling down? Give it a try the next time. By focusing on these things, you can begin to win the war inside your mind.
2. The war in your heart:
Our hearts are pulled in so many different directions. We feel an affinity for one person, then another, and then another. We struggle to stay committed to one person. Or even one idea. Our heart longs for something more.
The war in your heart will destroy you faster than anything else if you don’t win this battle. Take control of where your heart leads you. The Bible tells us that our hearts will deceive us if we’re not careful.
Tend to your heart. Win the war.
3. The war for your people:
The first two wars have dealt with our internal wars. This one is an external war.
You have to war for your people.
Go, fight for those you lead. Take the shots that are meant for them. Show them you care for them and are willing to stand in the gap for them.
The more you fight for your people, the more they will understand that they are not just numbers. They are valuable, and you see their worth.
Fight the war for your people.
4. The war for kindness:
You may think the war for kindness is a strange thing to win. What is a war for kindness? How can you go to war for something that isn’t angry, upsetting, or disturbing?
It’s easy. Bringing kindness into your organization isn’t easy. You’ll have to battle old-school business thoughts that business is brutal. It’s not, at least not if you don’t want it to be.
If you want an organization that values people and their contributions, if you want an organization that treats people fairly and kindly, you must win the war for kindness.
You do not win this war by being judgmental, unkind, or difficult. You win the war for kindness by being an example. You show others how kindness has changed your life, why it is important in your organization, and how they can lead with kindness.
Win the war for kindness.
