Today, I received an email from my director that told me that I am a blessing! He thanked me for stepping into a role at a conference recently that meant a lot of sacrifice on my part. I was so encouraged to be acknowledged in this way!

However, I have some regrets. As I think about how I have been a leader of people at certain points during my lifetime, I have usually sought to encourage team members, to tell them that they are doing a great job, that I can see the giftings that they have for their work, that I love working with them, saying “thank you.” This is easy to do when everything is going well.

But, under stress, another part of myself has shown up. Impatience, a critical spirit, sheer disillusionment when facing failure, and a negative attitude towards those I felt were contributing to the stressful situation left me feeling anything but encouraging. I have sent emails that I later regretted.

Paul had this dilemma. Whether right or wrong in his assessment of a situation, he knew that his authority as a leader should always build others up, not tear them down. God is so gracious with our failures. I don’t know how he can be so patient with us when we fail him so miserably, but his love and peace are always ours for the taking!

Paul said that we should strive for full restoration, so that we can be unified again. As brothers and sisters, who can tend to be hard on each other, we should go to those we’ve wronged in the past and seek to live in peace with each other.

Father, you know the people that I’ve torn down instead of building up. Please show me how to reconcile with them, even if it’s been a long time since we last talked. Remind me to build up others today, not to tear them down. Amen.

Throughout this Day: Is there someone you need to encourage today? Perhaps you’ve been hard on that person in the past. Ask God to give you the courage to make things right.



Tags: Daily Devotional 2 Corinthians 13
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