The tough guys we all love and hate!

One of the people I personally admire the most is General George S. Patton. This fearless leader helped us win World War two. His courage was legendary. He would go to the battlefield and in the midst of bombs literally landing everywhere; he could be seen, cigar tightly clamped in his mouth, walking up and down the battlefield lines encouraging his troops. He was one tough son of a gun.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is a saying that is widely used in America. Toughness is admired however only at times of tribulation. When we are at war or in serious crisis mode, toughness is something we want in our commanders and leadership. During times of relative peace we want someone who is compassionate, kind, and considerate and the tough guys are considered to be bullies and Neanderthals and are reviled. It is my observation that the majority of people in America only wants to see toughness in leadership during times of duress and are basically meek in nature and desire docile leaders otherwise.

In business during times of financial turmoil like the Dot Com crash or the post 911 era, business leaders who wilted under pressure did not make it. Those tough business persons who faced the tough times head-on like General Patton survived; those who wilted went out of business. Leaders who toughen up during times of crisis invariably are the ones who survive; however during times of relative prosperity and when crisis-free the kindly and compassionate rule’. No one wants a panty-waist’ business leader during terrible times; no one wants a tough guy during the peaceful times. Unfortunately few leaders are both.

In our personal lives just like our business lives whether we are basically meek or not, we need toughness to survive the hard times. Why? Because life can be tough sometimes and it can bring us to our knees; we all experience serious trials and tribulations and yes even tragedy. How does someone who is not tough and basically meek obtain toughness? Faith! Tough times are not nearly as tough if one has faith that things will eventually settle down and work out for the best. I’m not talking about having faith in one’s self to defeat the crisis. I’m talking about having faith in God to give us the strength to tough out the hard times. If we have faith in the Bible and in God, we will have faith in Him to deliver us and we will understand that God’s plan is perfect and He is grooming us for an eternity in paradise. It is far easier to face trials, (even death walking up and down a battlefield with bombs exploding left and right), if there is no fear and only faith.

Hard times are inevitable; the only variable is how we approach tough times mentally. If we are where we need to be in the Lord and we can mentally condition ourselves to keep this concept uppermost in our mind we can survive and thrive during times of crisis. Don’t let fear ruin your day today. Have faith in God that with His help you can conquer the worst satan serves up today and for the rest of the days you are allowed on this planet Keep your mind on heavenly things!

Phil. 3:19
Their mind is on earthly
things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And
we eagerly await a Savior from there, the
Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that
enables Him to bring everything under His
control, will transform our lowly bodies so
That they will be like His glorious body.