Here is one thing I know about being a leader.   Worry will never empower you.  Worry can rob you of every leadership skill you have ever developed.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m so thankful that I worried over that”?  Even the mention of that statement seems absurd.  So, why does worry become such a slippery slope for so many leaders?  The fact remains that, many times, it is the worry which creates the real challenge.  It is worry that builds the mountain which becomes your biggest obstacle.  Simply put, you cannot be more than a winner, more than a victor, or more than an overcomer if you allow yourself to worry.

So, what are your options?  One simple, yet profound option to negate worry is PLANNING!  Planning is a tool every successful leader demonstrates.  You plan your meetings, you plan for growth, you plan budgets, you plan and plan.  In many ways, you can even plan for unexpected circumstances.

Have you ever considered that what appeared to be the most tragic day in Christ’s life on earth was planned?  Twenty-nine of the sixty major prophesies were fulfilled on the day of Christ’s crucifixion.  It was a plan of which Christ, Himself, was acutely aware and predicted sixteen times during His earthly ministry.

Even while in the midst of such horrific pain and persecution, Christ demonstrated planning as He spoke to Mary and John.  The immense strain of which He was experiencing would have weakened Him emotionally and made Him susceptible to an intense ‘panic attack.’  He could have looked at His mother and have been overwhelmed with the urgent concern for her well-being and future provision.  Instead, He plans for her care, right in the midst of the overwhelming suffering which purchased eternal salvation for all of humanity.

The next time you feel overwhelmed, do not give in to the natural desire to worry.  As you come face to face with your next unexpected circumstance, do not worry.  Instead, develop a plan of action to meet the situation.

Rev. Gary R. Linn