Before I was even born, Walt Disney produced a short cartoon called Motor Mania (you can watch it here).
In this cartoon, the main character portrayed by Goofy is like Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Goofy is normally this wonderful, fun-loving, never hurt a fly kind of person. However, when he gets behind the wheel of his car, he turns into a road-raging monster.
I am sorry to say; my personality is sometimes like the character in this Disney movie. Generally, I am a pretty fun-loving, patient person. However, behind the wheel of my car, I sometimes become impatient and aggressive. At least that’s what my wife and daughter say.
For some time, I tried to explain to them the issue is not with me; it is the fault of the other people on the road around me! Sometimes it is the person in front of me who is going too slowly in the fast lane. Sometimes the person doesn’t smash on the gas pedal the micro-second the light turns green. Sometimes it is the person in the next lane over that won’t let me merge into their lane even though I’ve been signaling for the last two miles!
My impatient, aggressive driving never resulted in an accident, but there were a few close calls over the years. As I get older, I’m trying to learn to be a more patient, gentler driver.
Learning to control aggression is important as a driver, and it is equally important for the leader. We must learn to control our aggression or risk winding up a tangled heap in the junkyard of failed leaders.
Several characters in the Bible displayed aggression at the wrong time or in the wrong place and it nearly always costs them.
One of the most well-known stories of misplaced aggression is the story of Moses as he was leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:1-13).
Moses and the Complainers
Moses had been leading his people around the desert on the way to the Promised Land for nearly 40-years. They complained when they left slavery behind in Egypt, and they have been complaining ever since.
Can you imagine being responsible for some two million people, who are all complaining about the water, the living conditions, and the food for 40-years?
So, it’s easy for me to imagine Moses’ state of mind when the Israelites arrived at Kadesh.
Moses’ sister Miriam died shortly after they arrived and right after she was buried the people started complaining about a lack of water.
Normally, Kadesh was an oasis, which had a good supply of water, but when the Israelites arrived this time the water was gone. The people got together and accused Moses of bringing them into this evil place just to have them die from a lack of water.
To Moses’ credit, he and Aaron left the assembly of people and went to pray. God appeared to them and gave Moses instructions. Moses and Aaron were told to assemble the people. Then, in front of the people, Moses was to take Aaron’s staff and tell the rock to yield its water (Numbers 20:8).
The rock would obey Moses’ command, and the people could drink the water from the rock. God wanted the Israelites to see the miracle first-hand, to witness the power of God so great that even rocks obeyed Him.
Moses and the Rock
I imagine Moses was fed up with these people. He had been leading them for 40-years as they continued to complain about one thing after another. Finally, they arrived at the place where they were just outside the Promised Land. His sister Miriam died, and he buried her. Then the people started complaining about the lack of water.
Nonetheless, Moses and Aaron gathered the people of Israel together just as God instructed. However, then Moses’ frustration came out as he yelled, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?”
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with Aaron’s staff. Water gushed out of the rock, and the people and all their cattle drank the water (Numbers 20:10-11).
What Moses Did Right
Moses did two things right. First, instead of trying to solve the issue himself, he and Aaron humbled themselves and went before God to pray, seeking His will. Second, he gathered the people together just as God had instructed.
What Moses Did Wrong
Standing before the people with Aaron and the staff, Moses lost his temper. Perhaps the grief over Miriam’s death shattered him. Perhaps it was the people’s lack of faith and their constant complaining. Or, perhaps it was the burden of leadership. Sometimes responsibility is overwhelming.
Whatever the case, Moses’ anger with the people, was obvious as he yelled at them, calling them rebels. Then he put himself in place of God when he said “must we” meaning he and Aaron, get the water for you! Finally, Moses disobeyed God. Instead of speaking to the rock the command to bring forth water, he raised his arm in anger and struck the rock, not once, but twice.
It was an angry outburst that Moses regretted the rest of his life. God fulfilled His promise to the people and brought forth water, but because of his disobedience, God banned Moses from entering the Promised Land with the people.
Lessons for Leaders
When you feel the burden of leadership weighing heavily upon you, learn from Moses.
- Realize the problem is best solved through God’s wisdom, not our own.
- Humble yourself and through prayer seek God’s wisdom.
- When God instructs you, do what He tells you.
- No matter how tempting, control your anger.
- Do not put yourself in place of God or misrepresent God to others.
Leaders in the workplace are often confronted with difficult situations and difficult people. It is part of a leader’s life. So, be prepared. Sometimes, you are dealing with situations outside of work that impact how you feel at work. There will be times when the people you work with get on your nerves with their doubting and complaining. There will be times when outside circumstances beyond your control threaten the success of your organization.
Whatever the issue may be, humble yourself, seek God’s wisdom, and do what God tells you to do just the way He tells you!
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. What do you think of Moses’ actions? Have you been in situations where you were leading a group of complainers? How did you handle them?
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Category: Personal Development | Character
