Mindy Lee Hopman

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

A Different Response

When my children learned to walk, they often stumbled and scraped their knees. After each fall, I had a choice to make. I could rush to each one of them, scoop them up in a protective embrace, and anxiously ask if he or she was okay, or I could calmly meet their gaze and show them, through my presence, that they were going to be just fine.

Our responses matter. Those who look to us for guidance are often shaped by how we react to challenges. Will I respond the way the world expects me to, or will I respond with the power of the Word in me?

Life is 10% about what happens to us and 90% about how we respond. Regardless of how it looks on the outside, every single one of us as human beings has issue we deal with and problems in our lives. We can focus on our problems and get stuck in them, or we can choose to focus on the Problem Solver who turns obstacles into opportunities. By seeking the Problem Solver—Jesus—we gain the perspective needed to lead with self-control, compassion, and clarity.

Jesus Set the Example

Throughout His life, Jesus showed us how to face problems with grace and strength. His responses were never rooted in fear or frustration but in a deep trust in God’s plan. He didn’t shy away from challenges; He used them as opportunities to draw closer to His Father and serve others in love.

As we grow in leadership, we can respond the same way Jesus did. Every need we encounter becomes a opportunity to serve, to reflect His love, and to bring about change in those around us.

“…through love, serve one another.” — Galatians 5:13 (NASB1995)

How Do I Serve to Lead?

1. Pay Attention to the Little Things
   The small details matter. People may forget how quickly you completed a task, but they will remember how well you did it. – Howard W. Newton
2. Walk the Walk
   Leadership is about leading by example. It’s not enough to say the right things; we must show others how to live out those principles. – Winston Churchill
3. Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
   A positive attitude can transform an environment. Enthusiasm is contagious, and a grateful heart radiates joy and purpose. – Denis Waitley
4. Empower Others
   True leadership involves helping others step into their own strength. People don’t just want to be told what to do; they want to be given the opportunity to make a difference. – Jeff Martin
5. Listen Well
   Leadership is not about talking the most but about listening the most. Slow down, lay aside your agenda, and truly hear what others are saying. – Kathleen Boatwright
6. Encourage Everyone Around You
   Our words have power to lift others up. As Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, let everything we say be an encouragement, bringing life to those who hear it.
   “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” — Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
7. Build Trust
   Trust is the foundation of effective leadership.
   Ordinary people, with commitment and trust in one another, can make an extraordinary impact on the world. – John C. Maxwell

These principles are powerful and true, but I challenge you to go further. When you listen to the people you lead, do so with the transformative love and compassion that Jesus provides. See beyond the surface. Look into their hearts. As Atticus Finch wisely said in To Kill a Mockingbird, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

Respond with Love to Lead

Leadership is ultimately about service—about seeing and meeting the needs of others. When we lead with the love and power of Jesus, we see beyond what’s visible, recognizing the potential in each person and leading them to be all they were created to be. Every act of service, every word of encouragement, builds a foundation of trust that will bear fruit for years to come.

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” — Jackie Robinson

Today, and every day, choose to listen, encourage, and serve with your whole heart. Lead with love, and watch how God uses you to make an eternal difference in the lives of those around you.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit—the spirit of power, love, and self-control. Help me to lead as Jesus did, responding with grace, serving with humility, and loving without limits. Empower me to make an impact for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.