Leading Through Discouragement

Leadership is tough.

Leading while surrounded by discouragement is even tougher.

Leadership is tough.

Leading while surrounded by discouragement is even tougher.

I am really challenged by a guy in the Bible named Nehemiah.

He lived in exile, far away from the land he loved.

After a time of prayer and planning God made a way for Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem with an ambitious plan to rebuild its broken walls. The city had been vulnerable to attack for about 150 years.

But instead of an enthusiastic welcome, Nehemiah is immediately faced with trash talking neighbors (Nehemiah 4:1-3), overwhelmed fellow workers (4:10), vicious death threats (4:11), and local people who are in a state of fear and panic (4:12).

I doubt he had imagined it would come to this.

An apparent failure before any work started.

Had God led him down a cul- de- sac?

In a Braveheart like moment, against all odds, Nehemiah gathers everyone together. He shouts to all the nobles and the rest of the people,

“Don’t be afraid of the enemy!

Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes!” (4:14)

When I’m surrounded by discouragement I desperately need to remind myself of God’s greatness.

A great way to do this is to saturate my mind and heart with the promises of God. When it all looks too overwhelming, I need to go back to His promises to gain perspective.

Here are some passages to help you do just that this week: Psalm 103:10-12, Matthew 11:28; Colossians 1:14; Philippians 4:19; Proverbs 10:10; 2 Peter 1: 3

I remember how great and glorious my God is when I share real life stories with other Christ Followers. Together we remind ourselves of past blessings we have long forgotten. We refuse to allow them to stay deeply buried from sight by our present discouraging circumstances.

Some of my most treasured moments have come during times of immense discouragement as I have listened to other Christ Followers recounting great acts of God throughout their lives. At times I felt like a little kid wanting to say, “don’t stop, tell me more!”.

So if you feel weighed down and worn out by discouragement, please don't give up!

“Remember your God who is great and glorious and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes!”

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