He turns to the Bible’s advice: “See to it that no one misses
the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trou-
ble and defile many.” A leader who is bitter certainly will cause
trouble, for himself and for many others.
The potency of bitterness is a scary thing. Here’s how Califor-
nia pastor John Courson describes it: “This is what bitterness does.
It’s like taking a bottle of poison, swallowing it, and then waiting
for the other person to die.”
In other words, savoring bitterness is emotionally and spiritu-
ally suicidal.
In contrast, Courson quotes the Bible’s prescription: “A merry
heart does good like a medicine.”
“When a person is bitter, angry, caustic, cynical,” says Cour-
son, “the chemicals produced in your glands flow through your
body. They affect your stomach. They affect your heart. They
affect your whole being. Bitterness doesn’t pay, even if you have
justifiable reason.”
To go from anger at outrageous injustice against us to a “merry
heart” is a long, almost inconceivable process. But the journey to
forgiveness and love, demonstrated by Billy Graham in not only
the Nixon tragedy but other experiences, is the way of the effec-
tive leader who guards that priceless asset of his or her own phys-
ical and spiritual health.
Metamorphosize!
Emily’s rejection of Billy as the man to marry was not on the
level of a deep catastrophe—yet it had a great deal to do with his
metamorphosis. Setbacks and trauma can be catalysts for dramatic
changes mentally and spiritually.
J. C. Penney experienced plenty of trauma. In 1898 he estab-
lished the Golden Rule store, with low prices. He was a “bundle
of energy” and “like a person in perpetual motion.” He hired men
like himself with the highest business and moral standards.
But in 1910 his wife died, and he felt deserted by God.
In 1919 he married again and enjoyed prosperity. But in 1923
his second wife died also. He took refuge in his work.
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham