True leadership takes experience, knowledge, and sound judgment in hard times. Jesus humbled himself, making himself lower than he was so he could feel our pain and identify with us.
Throughout history, God has raised leaders who reflected these same Christ-like characteristics. Abraham Lincoln, during America’s greatest crisis, demonstrated how wisdom, humility, and empathy guide us through our darkest moments.
Lincoln embodied wisdom by withholding an angry letter to General Meade, showed empathy during the conflict between Minnesota settlers and Native Americans, and demonstrated humility when his Secretary of War called him a fool. He saw beyond his own perspective, especially when managing anger during national crisis.
Lead with Wisdom
Lincoln wrote a heated letter to General Meade for failing to pursue the retreating Confederate army. He never sent it. He understood it could damage their relationship.
Lincoln didn’t dwell on his anger—he had more pressing matters. After writing the letter, he let it go. That night he probably slept more peacefully than if he had let anger fester. “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” Ephesians 4:26.
Lincoln’s restraint with General Meade shows that our first emotional response need not be our final action. Describe a time you reacted in anger. How might waiting and seeking wisdom have changed the outcome?
Lincoln’s wisdom in managing anger was matched by his ability to see conflicts from multiple perspectives.
See All Sides with Compassion
The Dakota War was a six-week conflict in Minnesota during the Civil War. White settlers made promises to Native Americans they never kept. Starving Native Americans attacked settlers out of desperation. Hundreds died on both sides. Courts convicted over three hundred Native Americans of war crimes. Lincoln reviewed each case individually.
Both sides demanded justice. The white population expected their president to punish the Native Americans. Despite being white, Lincoln empathized with both sides. When in doubt, he pardoned Native Americans. The Native Americans had suffered injustice and faced forced removal from their land.
Not everyone can empathize with both sides of a conflict. Lincoln wasn’t perfect, but he was the right man for this task.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” Matthew 5:9. Lincoln used his presidential role to do what he thought right for each group. He refused to approve mass execution of the Native Americans. His pardons saved lives.
Like Lincoln, who showed compassion over quick judgment, we can do the same. Think of a current conflict in your life. Write a paragraph from the other person’s perspective. What hurts or fears might drive their behavior? How does this change your approach?
When we’re in conflict with others it’s because they hurt our pride. If we remain humble like Lincoln, we won’t let someone calling us a fool bother us.
Choosing Humility Over Pride
A congressman told Lincoln that Edwin Stanton, his newly appointed Secretary of War, had called him a fool. Most people would respond in anger. Lincoln chuckled and said, “If Stanton said I was a damn fool, then I must be one, for he is nearly always right and generally says what he means.”
During the Civil War, General Grant made a move Lincoln feared would be disastrous. It became a huge success. Lincoln wrote, “I now wish to make the personal acknowledgment that you were right, and I was wrong.” He added, “I frequently make mistakes myself in the many things I must do hastily.”
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others,” Philippians 2:3-4. Though important, Lincoln didn’t need to prove himself to anyone. He valued Stanton and Grant and respected their opinions and actions.
When asked why he chose Stanton, Lincoln simply said, “He was the best man for the job.” He focused on what was best for the country, not on getting even or holding grudges. He knew Stanton’s abilities outweighed personal opinions.
Like Lincoln, who chose humility over pride with Stanton and Grant, we can respect others’ abilities over our own importance. Describe someone who has criticized you or proven you wrong. What good qualities do they possess? Write a brief note of appreciation you could give them (you don’t have to).
Your Leadership Legacy
A Christ-like leader uses good judgment even when angry. He sees all sides of a conflict with empathy, trying to do what is best for everyone. He acts in humility even when insulted, counting others’ opinions above his own.
Lincoln faced many trials during his presidency. What crisis or challenge in your life right now calls for wisdom, compassion, and humility? Write about how you could apply one of Lincoln’s examples to your situation this week, and pray for God’s guidance in developing that Christ-like quality.
Sources and References:
Donald, David Herbert. Lincoln. Simon & Schuster, 1995.
Lincoln, Abraham. Abraham Lincoln: Selected Speeches and Writings. Edited by Gore Vidal, Library of America, 1992.
Shapell Manuscript Foundation. “The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.” Shapell Historical Perspectives, https://www.shapell.org/historical-perspectives/between-the-lines/lincoln-douglas-debates/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAg8S7BhATEiwAO2-R6jYTNrogo7-Kp8QvWnjHfbfVYRGhj3SAHOLrp3I4V2NxYAbBKY4mzRoCTIEQAvD_BwE. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
The Abraham Lincoln Association. “Abraham Lincoln: Collected Works.” The Abraham Lincoln Association, https://abrahamlincolnassociation.org/abraham-lincoln-collected-works/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
“10 Powerful Things Abraham Lincoln Said That Will Inspire Your Life.” Lifehack, https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-powerful-things-abraham-lincoln-said-that-will-inspire-your-life.html.
“Dare to Do Right: Lincoln’s Call to Courage Speaks to This Stormy Time.” Forbes, 29 Dec. 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2021/12/29/dare-to-do-right-lincolns-call-to-courage-speaks-to-this-stormy-time/.
“Politics, Pride, and Emotion.” Relational Wisdom 360, 5 Mar. 2018, https://rw360.org/2018/03/05/politics-pride-and-emotion-2/.
“The Presidential Example of Abraham Lincoln.” Capacity Building, https://capacity-building.com/the-presidential-example-of-abraham-lincoln/.
“The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, Part I.” Hope Charter, https://www.hopecharter.org/~johncooper@prodigy.net/john-cooper/the-wit-and-wisdom-of-abraham-lincoln-part-i.
“Quotes by Abraham Lincoln.” Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, https://www.abrahamlincoln.org/features/speeches-writings/abraham-lincoln-quotes/index.html