“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”¹

It happens in clubs, churches, at work, on committees, and pretty much wherever people are involved in any kind of work or planning group. Often there is at least one so-called strong person who has a need to be in control—and “lord it” over the others.

The fact is that some of the people we call strong; that is, domineering and controlling people, are anything but strong. They are control freaks because they are immature and insecure. The only way they feel secure is when they are in control. They are difficult to work with, to plan with, and even more so to live with.

Jesus gives us the perfect example on how to live and lead. He always spoke with authority but was never authoritarian or controlling. He had true strength, which never has a need to control or lord it over others.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of controlling and seeking to ‘lord it over others.’ If I should ever do this, help me to see that this is not a sign of strength but a symptom of weakness and insecurity, and then get the help I need to overcome my problem. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV).