Leadership Lessons: Humility

PART FOUR

“But his officers tried to reason with him and said, ‘Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it?  So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go, and wash and be cured!’  So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him.  And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!”  [2 Kings 5:13-14]

Last week, Naaman left the prophet Elisha’s house in a fit of rage because Elisha didn’t meet Naaman’s expectations.  However, Elisha had told him exactly what to do to be healed from leprosy.  Naaman was still full of pride!

One would think that Naaman, being a wise and intelligent man (after all, he was commander of the king’s army), would have listened to the prophet’s simple instructions.  But Naaman couldn’t let go of his pride…until now.

The commander of the king’s army actually listened to his subordinate officers as they tried to reason with him.  Maybe there was still hope for Naaman!  Now, not only did he listen to what they told him, it actually made sense to him – just follow the prophet’s instructions.  So, Naaman swallowed his pride and admitted that his position, his authority, and his wealth could not heal him.  Then he humbled himself by dipping seven times in the Jordan River!  Not only was he healed instantaneously, but his skin looked like that of a young child! 

The past 3 weeks we have looked at unhealthy leadership traits: Pride, Unrealistic Expectations, and Haughtiness.  

What is the antidote?  HUMILITY!      

Go ahead, begin today!  Don’t think less of yourself, rather think of yourself less.  Watch what happens; it might even bring healing in an unexpected way!