Taking Responsibility

Taking Responsibility

One of the things that I don’t particularly enjoy in my job as a pastor is listening to a husband and wife who aren’t willing to get along. On one occasion, I was listening to a man complain about his wife, and he was struggling to know what to do. I told him to take up leadership by being responsible for setting the tone in his household. I told him to take a hard look at himself and change what he could control, which was himself.

The great Bear Bryant said, “Find your own picture, your own self in anything that goes bad. It’s awfully easy to mouth off at your staff or chew out players, but if it’s bad, and you’re the head coach, you’re responsible. If we have an intercepted pass, I threw it. If we get a punt blocked, I caused it. A bad practice, a bad game, it’s up to the head coach to assume his responsibility.”

Relationships are difficult when there is pride present. Pride is a divisive force. When Julee and I have struggled, it is because neither of us was willing to give an inch. We valued our pride and being right over being right with one another.

First Peter 3:8 states, “Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” Guys, I want to challenge you to take responsibility, as the leader, for the atmosphere in your homes. If things aren’t going as you hoped, look in the mirror. Make course adjustments in yourself first and see how things begin to change. You get to set the tone, and your humble service will honor God, who in turn will honor you.

Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

1 Peter 3:8