While my wife and I were at the beach last week, in predictable tourist behavior, we picked up a few bags of shells. Shells seem to beg to be lifted from the sand.

My favorite shells are what we call worry stones. The "stone" is a palm-size chunk of broken shell that has been smoothed over the years, slick to the touch and offers a thumb sized space available to rub during times of stress. Whatever lived in those shells seems to have had a lot to worry about. I know a lot about worry. 

I must have developed visible warts as a kid because I was often called a "worry wart." I never understood how a wart could worry but I know I did. For years, I remember the moments before falling asleep when I asked myself, "What do I have to worry about?" I had extensive lists, until I met the woman I would marry. I stopped worrying the day I met her.

Anxiety seems to accompany leadership. It's not that we dread a possible outcome or worry about needless things—I think worry is focused on what we see happening around us. A leader's vision includes the ability to see cloud formations. Leader-worry includes fret over what we see happening to people as decisions are made with predictable outcomes. We know how a story will end. At least, we think we do.

I try to walk out the Scripture, "be anxious for nothing," but I often find myself slipping into concern about cloudy skies. I try to follow Paul's advice to "think on these things." But the fact is my mind is racing to help develop solutions to impact more lives. I'm concerned about the certainty of hell for those who live by the you-only-live-once code of conduct.

I believe leaders are expected to be going somewhere that their followers want to go as well. Destination leadership seems to be an intimidating responsibility for those who aspire to lead.

I want to make sure that there is a there, there.

I need more shells.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:6-9).

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

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