The Maxwell Leadership Reading PlanSample

Leaders Practice Telling Themselves the Truth

Psalm 57 gives us a beautiful picture of a leader in touch with his humanity. David composed it as he fled from Saul in the mountains and caves of Israel. The psalm expresses anxiety and fear, yet it ends with triumph: "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth" (Ps. 57:11).

Author Philip Yancey suggests that David wrote and sang the psalms as therapy for himself. Somehow, telling himself the truth enabled him to rise above his fear and see a transcendent God who remained in control.

Fortunately, few of us live with such danger. Like David, however, we all have times when nerves fail and fear creeps in. We feel surrounded by adversaries. Telling ourselves the truth, as David did, will heal and comfort us, as it did him. The truth of Psalm 57 can serve as our counselor. Successful leaders tell themselves the truth and gain perspective in the midst of volatile emotions.