(Prov 25:15 NIV) Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
This morning we get back to our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Solomon tells us something this morning that many of us need to hear, but a good portion of us don’t like to hear and that is about patience. Actually, Solomon recommends two things, especially when dealing with rulers/leaders and they are: patience and gentleness. If being patient were not hard enough, we must also learn to be gentle.
As a king Solomon was accustomed to people bringing issues and recommendations to him. The people made their case, but at the end of the day, Solomon was clearly in charge and he knew that his decision was always the final one. If a person approached Solomon with an idea that he was initially reluctant about, Solomon knew it would take both patience and gentleness to persuade him. If the person attempted to hurry Solomon or become harsh with him, the situation would quickly take a turn for the worse. Why? Because Solomon had the power, not the people coming to him. This is a key point. If I am the leader and I am attempting to convince or persuade the people I lead to see something my way, I can and should make the effort to do so, but if after all my efforts they still don’t see my point, I can override them and simply tell them to do it anyway. Why? Because I am in charge and they are not. Leaders have authority and they can exercise that authority without necessarily going through the pain of persuading all their subordinates to see things their way.
Subordinates don’t have that luxury. The picture Solomon paints for us is that of someone attempting to persuade authority. That is far more difficult than the other way around. Anyone can lead-down (from leader to led), but it takes skill, patience, and gentleness to lead-up (from led to leader). People who have the ability to lead-up become highly successful because they learn how to get their leaders to accept and implement their ideas. In the Army I am a Warrant Officer. In most cases the Warrant Officer is not in charge. I don’t normally have the luxury of just telling people what to do. For me to get things done I have to convince my leaders that my ideas are worthy of implementation. As Solomon teaches, this takes both patience and gentleness. I can’t rush them and or force them. I believe the Message Bible paraphrase of this verse really tells the story, it reads: “Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Anyone can lead-down, telling subordinates what to do, but it takes exceptional skill to lead-up, having the ability to actually lead your leaders down a path you want them to take.
2. If you are both patient and gentle you can convince your leaders to accept your ideas.
3. Patient persuasiveness will accomplish what hot words and ill manners never will.
4. Many see gentleness as a weakness, but it is actually power under control.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this lesson. I develop in both patience and gentleness. After I have presented my ideas before my leaders, with gentleness and grace, I have the patience to give them the time they need to consider it. You also give me the words to say when I need to persuade them, but I will never be overbearing when attempting to do so. I understand both my position and theirs. My understanding enables me to lead-down, leading my subordinates; to lead-out, leading my peers; and to lead-up, leading my leaders. Each type of leading requires different skills and I declare, by faith, that I posses them all! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
