I remember when I was a freshman in college and would write a term papers and turn it in to check it off my list. However, I would always get the same comment back in big red letters from my professors, "Please have someone else proof read." As I grew as a writer, I began to understand that I would be blind to my own weakness. I believe that this is also true of us as leaders. We have a tendency to let our pride take over, rather than getting input to better strengthen us.
The greatest example in Jesus is in Matthew 26:36-39. Jesus and his friends were in the Garden of Gethsemane. In mere hours Jesus would be arrested and His future uncertain. During this time His heart was frightened and he was overwhelmed. Jesus knew exactly what to do, he sought counsel through prayer. While Jesus was there, crying out to God for help, provision, and protection. Jesus understood the ultimate plan, with a heavenly perspective.
It might seem to be a simple concept, but when put into action it is so powerful. I have learned that when I am uncertain about situations, whether personal or professional, prayer uncovers answers to those questions. Reason, is that when we pray and seek counsel from God, we take the lens of us off and put the lens of God on. Just like Jesus did on that night in the garden. He received peace through His time in prayer. As we seek counsel through prayer we begin to get a heavenly perspective in a earthly situation. The more we put this into practice the more we uncover this idea. Is it easy? NO. Do I always get the answer I want? NO, but I trust in the Almighty as I seek His counsel.
As we seek counsel through prayer, our perspective change, our outcomes change and more importantly we change. I encourage you to try this for a few day, or maybe a week and watch what happens in your life. It doesn't need to be long eloquent prayers. Just something very simple and your life will never be the same.