I’ve been chewing on this quote for nearly a year now, trying to decide how it works:
Leaders are ones who learn to absorb the pain without passing it on to others or themselves.
Dr. Pete Menejares, Biola University
Clearly, there are days when I don’t feel capable of absorbing anyone’s pain. But in more lucid moments, I really ponder this idea of absorbing pain while not passing it on.
- How do we let hard words be said, and then forgive?
- How do we acknowledge painful realities, without losing all hope?
- How do we walk, and then lead others, through turbulent waters without drowning?
Part of the answer, I suppose, is to just keep going. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling,” said Confucious, “but in rising every time we fall.”
Jesus said it in a slightly different way, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
How have you found ways to absorb pain without taking it out on others or yourself?
between worlds 