It wasn’t a rash decision. It wasn’t unrehearsed. He didn’t respond purely out of emotion.
To me it has the appearance of being a very calculated, methodical, strategic move.
Over the years of leadership, since I realized how Jesus actually cleared the temple and facing lots of critics and conflicts of my own, I’ve made a lot of figurative whips. Perhaps someday I’ll even make a real one—and hang it on my wall. I’ve taken time before responding to think, process, develop a plan. And, all this in the spirit of prayer.
In the process—of being more calculated, methodical and strategic—it’s made me a better leader. It’s helped me respond better.
And, here’s the other thing I discovered. Often, once I’ve made the figurative whip—I didn’t need to actually use it. In fact, and here’s the real life lesson, sometimes the process led me to understand I was the one who was wrong. Ouch!
So how do you handle conflict? When you’re facing conflict in life and leadership—when you’re angry—take time to make a whip. It changes everything.
