Why what we believe about God matters to how we live and lead

This past year has certainly been one for the books. It’s been filled with uncertainty and fear. And yet, it’s still up to us whether or not that is what drives how we live and lead.

This year, I challenge you to make it a year of focusing on what you do know to be true instead of on what is out of your control. While we cannot control what happens around us, we all get to choose what we focus on. And what we focus on is who we become.

The people who are the most confident about life and leading, regardless of the circumstances, are those who are assured about what God has called them to and do it. They are the people who, even in the most difficult circumstances, always find ways to bring clarity, calm, and confidence. We all know these people, but what is their secret? How do they maintain this confident approach?

Their confidence didn’t just happen overnight. No assurance does. It is something that takes intentionality and practice. And it is vital to living and leading confidently.

So, this week, I want to leave you with four challenges to help cultivate confident clarity for your life and leadership by shifting your focus. Because what we believe about God, ourselves, and others has everything to do with how we live and lead.

1. Make time to reflect on who God is.

Who we believe God is and what God says is the foundation for how we live and lead. If we believe God is like an angry parent just waiting to throw a lightning bolt down on us the moment we fail, that impacts how we live and lead. If we believe God is for us and for those around us, overflowing in forgiveness, permission, and love, that impacts how we lead. If we believe God can give us wisdom and guidance for our lives and leadership, that impacts how we live and lead. In C.S. Lewis’ infamous words about Jesus, he was “either a liar, a lunatic or the Messiah.” Taking the time to reflect on who you believe God is, is not only beneficial to you but to those you lead and serve.

2. Reflect on who God says you are.

Living in confidence comes from also knowing who God says we are. What does God say about you? Most people can easily say that God loves others but they have a much harder time saying that God loves them. It can be easy to say that God has forgiven others, but what about you? You might believe that God has a purpose for other people, but what about for you? What you believe God says about you has everything to do with how confidently you can live and lead.

3. Reflect on what God says about others.

Many times, we act in ways that we later regret because we have forgotten what God says about other people. When tensions are high and seasons are filled with conflict, we must take time to pause and remember who God says other people are. What we believe to be true about others impacts how we treat them and lead them. For example, if God says that each person is created in God’s image, then each person bears God’s image and has inherent worth. If you believe that this is true, then what is the evidence that you believe it in how you live and lead?

4. Focus on your approach to life and leadership.

Based on who you believe God is, who God says you are, and what God says about others, what is the evidence in your life and how you lead? I believe this is one of the most important questions we need to continually ask ourselves. The reality is that what we believe about God, ourselves, and others guides how we live and lead. For example, we can say that we believe something to be true, but the only real evidence of what we believe is what we do and say every day. I can say that I believe leadership development is important, but if I don’t actually help others grow and succeed, then I don’t believe it’s important. I just like the idea of it. If I say I’m a follower of Jesus but His words and life don’t influence how I live and lead, then I’m not. I just like the idea of being his follower.

I have found that the more I make time to focus on who God is, who I am, and what God says about the people are around me, the more my life and leadership align with my beliefs. And in doing so, there is so much clarity, confidence, and calm. I think you’ll find it does the same for you.