Daily Delight Devotional – Wednesday, June 19, 2024

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

– Proverbs 16:32, NKJV

An exceptional leader is known for his emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is important for effective leadership and personal growth. It involves enhancing self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.

Our best example as children of God is Jesus. He was exceptional in the display of emotional intelligence and by so doing, showed us how to live, not only as His followers but as leaders in whatever sphere we find ourselves. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that he was able to understand because he went through the same challenges as us.

Jesus knew how to manage his emotions. He was not someone given to hiding them as well. Managing one’s emotions is not the same as bottling them up. A lot of people confuse this. Even Jesus expressed his emotions at different times. John 11:35 showed that he grieved at the death of his friend. At many times, he was able to respond to the needs of others because he could maintain a balance in his emotional intelligence.

Understanding your emotions and how they affect your thoughts and actions is the first step in building emotional intelligence. Reflect on your emotional responses and seek God’s guidance to gain insight into your emotional patterns. Managing your emotions, especially in stressful situations, is vital. Practice patience and self-control, relying on the Holy Spirit to help you respond calmly and wisely.

Lastly, building strong relationships through effective communication and collaboration is key. Foster a spirit of cooperation and respect in your interactions, demonstrating Christ-like love and humility.

Insight: Building emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership and personal growth.

Prayer: Lord, help me to grow in emotional intelligence. Let my interactions reflect Your love and wisdom in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 85-87