Radical Trust: Letting Go of Pride to Lead Like Jesus

God’s Promise:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)

The Reflection:

Men, have you ever held something powerful in your hands—a tool, a weapon, a responsibility—and realized you didn’t truly know how to handle it? Soldiers carry swords, but that doesn’t mean they automatically understand them. It’s the same with leadership in our homes. Just because we’re husbands, fathers, or grandfathers doesn’t mean we’re leading well.

I’ve been there—standing strong, confident in my role, thinking I had it all together. But that strength? It lasted only as long as the applause. And when the applause faded, when life knocked me down, I realized there was no one to pick me up… except Jesus.

Relationships are messy. They’re sticky, muddy, and complicated—and that’s a good thing. The best relationships are the ones we fight for. But amidst all that chaos, there’s one relationship that’s unchanging, pure, and everlasting: our relationship with Jesus. He’s always there, even when we don’t see Him.

So why don’t we see Him sometimes? Because we’re lost in ourselves—starved and empty, yet somehow full. Full of pride. Full of standing tall as “proud” fathers and husbands, tuned into that station we know all too well: WIIFM (What’s In It For Me).

When we’re focused on our roles in this world—the opportunities, the responsibilities, the desires—we lose sight of Jesus. We’re living in the here and now, forgetting that eternity is the bigger picture. But here’s the call today: live radically. Create what Oswald Chambers calls a “new automatic” that reflects Jesus.

It’s hard—real hard. Like, super hard. But that’s where the sword comes in. You’ve got to pick it up and cut through the muddy waters of life. It’s thick, it’s messy, but trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

When you trust, when you have faith, when you live with that “new automatic,” your life shifts. You’ll love God and love others. You’ll serve God and serve others. Your mindset becomes captive to the obedience of Christ. Remember, faith and the Holy Spirit work together.

Fix your eyes on Jesus. Empty yourself of pride and fill yourself with the promises of God. As John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

And never forget:
“Be not proud in the spotlight, for the applause of people fades, but God is present nevermore.” (Inspired by Matthew 6:1)

Shepherding in Action: Today’s Value:
Humility in Leadership: True strength as a man comes from laying down pride and leading your family with a heart that follows Jesus first.

Reflection Questions:

1. **Where in your life are you relying on your own strength instead of trusting God? ** Consider areas in your family where you need to surrender control to Him.
2. How does pride affect the way you lead your family? What steps can you take today to lead with humility instead of self-reliance?
3. Are you focusing more on the here and now than on eternity? How can you shift your perspective to live with eternity in mind?

Bible References:

• Proverbs 3:5
• John 3:30
• Matthew 6:1

My Personal Journey:
These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other men of the shepherd in building Christ-centered homes, leading and discipling like Jesus.
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