Looking over our shoulder to more âsuccessfulâ ministries is one of the most frequent sources of pain for leaders. It is also one of the great temptations that hinder us from faithfully following Jesus. We can learn a lot from the pattern of John the Baptistâs leadership as he responded to the news that he was losing people to the ânew, big thingâ happening around him (John 3:26-30). Content leaders affirm: 1. I am content. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. âA person can receive only what is given him from heaven.â Yes, God gives gifts and abilities that we want to steward well. But each place of service, employment, success, or failure (a lot of Godâs closest servants seem to suffer martyrdom) is under Godâs sovereignty. It is tempting to strive, manipulate, and anxiously toil to push doors open that God does not have for us. But we want to. Read more.