What Are You Exhaling As A Leader?

What are you exhaling when you talk about your ministry? Would you share them in front of parents, your teens or even your pastor? Sometimes we have to be careful about what we say and not because it’ll get us in trouble. We have to watch our words because of the damage it can do to us physically, and spiritually. And if left unmonitored it will impact our leadership and how others follow us.

According to an article from the University of Minnesota’s Taking Charge of your Health and Wellbeing website, your thoughts and emotions play a huge role in your physical health. The articles says:

Poorly managed or repressed anger (hostility) is also related to a slew of health conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, and infection.

Basically, the less you address the conflict and tension that’s going on, the more it’s going to physically slow you down. Lamenting and complaining isn’t fully addressing the issue. And this goes beyond the physical impact, having a positive or negative mindset has spiritual consequences. Scripture tells us:

• A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22
• A mild answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
• It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one. – Matthew 15:11

If you want to be a leader worth following and someone who stays in ministry for the long haul then it’s about being aware of what’s emerging from our hearts. If you struggle with negativity or want to guard yourself against it, make the following three exercises a part of your daily habits:

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND MAKE THEM KNOWN 

Recently, I came across the quote:

Gratitude is exhaling the grace that I’m inhaling – Alan Fadling

Every day God is blessing me and the way I acknowledge that is through gratitude. One of the best ways to count your blessings is through journaling. Writing out and then actually reading the ways that you are loved and blessed can change a bad day into a great one.

It’s not a faking it until you are making it’s simply changing your perspective. It’s now looking at the glass half full instead of empty. It’s reminding yourself that you aren’t alone and God is giving you everything that you need to thrive.

ADDRESS THE RELATIONSHIPS AND HABITS THAT ARE WEARING YOU DOWN

I need to sleep. If I don’t get about 8 hours of sleep my energy tank gets empty really quick. If I’m surrounded by negative people it drains on me. If I binge eat, overbook my schedule or refrain from my daily prayer I’m more likely to fail as a leader. If you don’t surround yourself with positive people and habits it’s going to impact the positive power of y our leadership.

Pursuing perfection isn’t possible, but constantly making note of what’s draining you and what’s filling you is important. Journaling and quiet meditative prayer can assist with this. Finding a spiritual director to help you process is key. Again, what you exhale is impacted by what you are inhaling and if you are constantly in a toxic environment it’ll slow you down.

BREW ENTHUSIASM AMONGST YOUR TEAM

The other day someone asked me what they should do if they have negative volunteers. If you have negative volunteers or a toxic culture in your ministry it’s going to show. Teens aren’t going to want to return because they don’t want to be around angry people. Other quality volunteers will step down because they don’t want to deal with drama.

If you have negativity on your team address it right away. Let the person know what you’ve been experiencing, peel back the layers and see if you can help them find healing. Sometimes this comes from being overworked or underappreciated. Brew enthusiasm by:

• Thanking your volunteers with tangible acts of gratitude
• Make your meetings fun and engaging
• Invest in them at a professional level 

Get your team feeling like they are a part of something big, pour into it and watch the momentum build.

Protect your heart and fill it with all that’s good. Know what you inhale so that what you exhale is gratitude towards God and the people He’s put in your life. A healthy leader can build a healthy ministry and healthy ministry is an unstoppable force.

What are you currently doing to build a healthy heart?