Being a Good Steward through the Anxieties of Leadership
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God gives us a recipe in the above verse 6: prayer, petition, and thanksgiving that guides me. Verse 7 talks about God’s peace that calms me. I am learning that sometimes firing people from a job is a blessing and protection, but I had to learn this through times of stress…
In 2018, I accepted a promotion as a director to oversee childcare centers, teachers, resource aides, substitutes, and the facilities they occupy. This career move is filled with anxiety. I am most anxious when I have to reprimand that may end in termination.
In my heart, I love to give people another chance. But I quickly learned that some offenses require immediate corrective action. Being a leader sometimes requires loneliness because you are set apart to carry out specific duties, uphold standards and policy that you might not personally agree with for the company you represent.
Making decisions that affect the lives of other people should make us fall on our knees in prayer because the decisions are life changing. I have felt heavy-hearted many nights knowing I had to terminate a person who had children and bills to pay. I take comfort in praying, talking to God about the anxiousness that overwhelms me at times. I ask God that even when I feel the butterflies, fortify me with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment to make the right decision. Over time I got used to the leadership role.
Even when I fail at wise decision-making, I trust that God will show me the next time how to make more efficient and effective choices. Giving myself some grace to mess up is also important. Asking God to place wise counsel and people around me is also critical to me being successful.
I had to learn to rest in God and experience His peace in the midst of the anxiety. I am still growing. God continues to show me that He has my back and that He guides me, even at work. God cares about our anxiety.
