Patience Over Power

The world praises conquest. We admire those who dominate markets, silence opponents, and achieve quick victories. But Scripture is clear. Patience and self-control are greater than brute force. Power without control destroys. Control guided by patience builds.

The Destruction of Impulse

History shows what happens when leaders lack patience. Alexander the Great conquered nations before the age of thirty. But he could not conquer himself. His temper, pride, and indulgence led to reckless decisions. His empire collapsed soon after his death. He could take cities but could not control his own spirit.

In contrast, consider George Washington. He commanded armies and held power as the first President. He could have ruled as a king. Instead, he chose restraint. He stepped down after two terms. His patience and self-control set the tone for the United States and gave the nation stability. Washington’s restraint built trust that conquest never could.

Organizational Lessons

The same is true in organizations. Leaders who lack patience make reckless decisions that ruin culture. Enron pursued profit at all costs. Deception and arrogance destroyed the company and harmed thousands of employees. Wells Fargo chased aggressive sales numbers without restraint, leading to fraud and public disgrace. These leaders took “cities” in the form of profit and power, but without patience or self-control, their victories rotted.

On the other side, companies like Patagonia show restraint and patience. They put employees and creation before profit. Their culture thrives because decisions are not driven by impulse but by long-term conviction. Self-control from leadership filters into the entire culture. Employees know when their leaders are guided by values rather than greed.

The Model of Christ

The greatest example is Jesus. He faced betrayal, false accusations, and brutal violence. With a word, He could have ended it. Instead, He held His peace. His patience on the cross accomplished salvation. His self-control displayed true strength.

Isaiah spoke of this when he wrote, “He was oppressed and afflicted, he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). James reminds us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20). Paul listed patience and self-control as fruit of the Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

A Call to Leaders

If you lead others, ask yourself: are you storming cities while neglecting your own spirit? Do your decisions spring from impulse and anger, or from patience and control? A culture built on greed and force always collapses. A culture built on restraint, patience, and values endures.

Proverbs calls us to a higher strength. To master ourselves is greater than mastering others. To control our emotions is greater than conquest. Power may win headlines. Patience and self-control win legacies.