Every now and then one of my sons borrows my computer to print off an article for one of his college classes.
Whenever he's done, he leaves the print job open in the browser window... and I like that, because it gives me a chance to see what he's studying.
The latest print job he left open was a well-known article from the Harvard Business Review called 'What Makes a Leader?' by Daniel Goleman.
The gist of the article is that while IQ and technical skills are important, the most essential element of leadership is emotional intelligence.
I tend to think – aside from faithfulness to God – this is absolutely true.
And it doesn't just apply to business leaders.
It goes for all those who seek to lead their lives in a way that accomplishes the purpose God has for them.
All too often our emotions get the best of us. And if negative emotions rule over us, they keep us from ruling our domains well.
Fortunately, it doesn't have to be this way...
… God tells us how to rule our emotions, and avoid having them rule over us... and that's by walking in His Spirit (Gal.5:16-26).
If we live in unbelief, emotions like fear, anger and frustration can easily get the upper hand in our lives... and derail our efforts for good.
But if we live by faith, we are filled with His Spirit, who causes hope, patience, love and joy to dominate... so we can fulfill God's design for us.
Governing our emotions – and our lives in general -- begins by looking to the Spirit.