Wisdom For The Day Devotional 8 January 2026 By Bishop Mike Okonkwo – Handle People Well
Click HERE for Previous MESSAGES by Bishop Mike Okonkwo
TOPIC: Handle People Well (TREM Devotional 8 January 2026)
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.” – 2 Timothy 2:24 (KJV)
MESSAGE
As a leader, you must learn to be patient with those God has placed under your care. Leadership in the Kingdom is not about control, it’s about nurturing people to maturity. The Christian faith is a journey, not a sprint. Growth takes time. No one becomes spiritually mature overnight, just as no child is born fully grown.
So, don’t expect perfection from those you lead. Be patient with their weaknesses. When they make mistakes, correct them lovingly. When they fall, help them rise again. Trust the people God has entrusted to you. Assign them responsibilities and allow them to grow through experience. That’s how continuity is built in ministry.
Unfortunately, some leaders enjoy being indispensable. They love it when nothing works unless they are present, when every progress must wait for “the king of kings” to arrive. That, beloved, is leadership failure. If you cannot leave your ministry for a short while without everything collapsing, then you haven’t truly raised people. A wise leader trains others to function even in his absence.
Beloved, God is interested in people. Handle them with care. Protect their dignity and privacy. Matters shared in counselling or confidence should never become sermon illustrations or casual talk. If those you lead cannot trust you to keep their confidences, you have lost moral authority as a leader.
Your title or position does not give you permission to expose what was told to you in secret. Even Jesus, at times, told His disciples, “See that you tell no one.” (Matthew 17:9) Why? Because there is a right time for everything.
Sadly, some leaders betray trust so easily. Once they hear something confidential, they share it with their spouse, who then tells another person, and soon the private matter becomes public gossip. That is not how a servant of God should behave.
As a leader in God’s house, be a person of integrity. Be patient. Be trustworthy. Be gentle. Lead with love and wisdom. In doing so, you will reflect the true nature of Christ, the Chief Shepherd.
FURTHER READING
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 Peter 4:8.
Wisdom For The Day Devotional was written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus’ name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to trem@trem.org, Phone: +234 1 773 8584
