How Reluctant Leaders Become Confident Achievers For God

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Our culture in the USA honors bold, confident, even brash leaders. But God doesn’t always work through leaders like that. He often uses the reluctant, quiet, humble people. I for one am glad of that, since I haven’t always fit the cultural ideal for a leader. Perhaps you can relate.

The stories of some of the greatest leaders in the Bible are almost comical in their lack of confidence. God called Moses by name in a burning bush. He promised a land flowing with milk and honey and clearly commissioned him (Exodus 3:10).

What was Moses’ response? “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11 GW)

God asserted His authority and identity by saying, “I AM that I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) But Moses wasn’t satisfied.

When God validated His message to Moses by miracles, Moses thought up yet another excuse: “Please Lord, I’m not a good speaker; I speak slowly, and I become tongue-tied easily.” (Exodus 4:10 GW)

Wow! Reminds me of me—I told at least one friend I would not go into full-time ministry because I couldn’t imagine being a speaker. God has sure changed that.

Gideon was another reluctant leader. When the Lord told him that he would rescue Israel, he replied, “Excuse me, sir! How can I rescue Israel? Look at my whole family. It’s the weakest one in Manasseh. And me? I’m the least important member of my family.” (Judges 6:15 GW)

Then he demanded a sign which the Lord graciously granted. Later he again asked for another sign: a wet then a dry fleece test. (See Judges 6)

The Apostle Paul was not the team leader at first when he and Barnabas left Antioch, witnessed by Barnabas’ name being first. It took time for his leadership to manifest (see Acts 13). 

By contrast, the Apostle John mentioned someone overly eager to lead, named Diotrephes“who loves to be in charge” and was causing problems in the church (see 3 John 9, 10).

Are you a reluctant leader? You’re in great company. Be encouraged. God loves to turn the meek into the mighty. 

God loves to turn the meek into the mighty. | CLICK TO TWEET

Here are some action steps you can take to enable God to change you from meek to mighty—how reluctant leaders become confident achievers:

01. Reject notions of perfection

A big inhibitor to serving God is our past sins and indiscretions. We think we can’t serve God because we haven’t been good enough.

But do you realize that God delights in using flawed, imperfect people?

God delights in using flawed, imperfect people. | CLICK TO TWEET

Two of the examples above whom God used immensely were actually murderers: Moses and the Apostle Paul! 

Sin doesn’t get much worse than murdering—yet major portions of Scripture were written by three murderers: Moses, the Apostle Paul and King David.

Remember the words of Paul, “Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 GW)

02. Lean into God’s Power

Remember it’s not about your abilities but God’s empowering

The Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

You are not in it alone—God has sent his Holy Spirit to guide, empower, teach and strengthen you.

It’s not about you—ministry success comes from God’s power in us. 

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV)

When we start to think it is about us, we need to back away. Yes, we must work diligently… but in the final analysis, we trust the Lord.

“Unless the Lord builds the house,

    those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the watchman stays awake in vain.”

(Psalm 127:1 ESV)

I shudder to think where I would be without the empowering of God. Not only would I not be a Christian leader, I believe I would probably do some terrible things. I’m serious—check out one small example HERE.

In fact, if we think we are “good enough” we should probably reconsider our call. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 ESV)

03. Don’t fight it, pray and accept God’s call

How do reluctant leaders become confident achievers? They respond to God’s call despite their feelings.

What do you feel inclined to do for God?:

• Teach a class?

• Start a ministry?

• Go on a missionary trip?

• Build an online ministry?

• Begin a community action ministry?

• Go into full-time ministry?

• Plant a church?

Whatever you feel your heart tugging to do, instead of sloughing it off, move in the direction of the call.

The old saying is so true: “God can’t steer a ship that isn’t moving.”

God can’t steer a ship that isn’t moving | CLICK TO TWEET

Stop fighting the call and start moving.

Isaiah is another who felt totally inadequate. He wrote: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5 ESV)

But feeling inadequate didn’t stop Isaiah from moving ahead for God. A few moments later he moved ahead despite his feelings of inadequacy and reluctance, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8 ESV)

How To Be Joyful When You Are Really Suffering

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Some time ago I was emotionally overwhelmed by several major trials – a family member’s suicide, a problem child, a parent’s Alzheimer’s disease, major financial disappointments and my wife’s sister’s cancer and death.

Before all that, my life had seemed virtually “problem free” and I assumed it would continue that way. Then the intense pain came, made worse by my mistaken notion that God had somehow reneged on His promises. 

But I was greatly mistaken. The Bible says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (1 Peter 4:12 KJV)

This “bad news” verse encouraged me. It helped me break through the “betrayal barrier” which is the feeling that God promises a rose garden, but gives only thorns.

Fortunately I learned a very important lesson during this difficult time.

Here are 3 ways you can be joyful when suffering:

01. Expect Difficulties

Maybe we don’t actually say it, but we may think: “God and I are really close and I am doing His special work. Therefore, things are bound to go well and I expect no difficulties in life.”

We can thank the Apostle Peter for his very important warning: The fact that bad things do happen to good Christians.

Suffering isn’t strange; it’s supposed to happen. | CLICK TO TWEET

Again scripture says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” (1 Peter 4:12 KJV)

Eventually I realized that God never promised a problem free life, and that all the twelve original Apostles, except John, died horrific martyr’s deaths and that our Savior Himself suffered incomprehensibly.

02. Rejoice Despite Trials

Am I hopeful, encouraged, trusting, joyful? Yes. But not because I expect to have no suffering.

I rejoice in spite of trials, as instructed in verse 13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13 KJV)

Scripture is clear, “In everything give thanks” or “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Not FOR but IN every situation I find reasons to be thankful and joyful.

Life is always a mixture of difficulties and blessings. The question is, “What will I choose to focus on?”

I choose to obey God and focus on the blessings. 

(You might also want to check out my article “5 Simple Steps to Conquer Complaining and Find Happiness”)

03. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

A great key to being joyful when suffering is to look ahead. Verse 13 points us toward this truth: “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (I Peter 4:13 KJV)

This same theme is repeated elsewhere: “I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed. All of us who are mature ought to think the same way about these matters.” (Philippians 3:14-15a VOICE)

Maturity means looking ahead toward resurrection life in eternity.

C. S. Lewis said, “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.”

Wow! And amen!

Can A Christian Support Gay Marriage?

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Several friends have mentioned how disappointed they are to see others who are supposed to be Christians supporting gay marriages and the recent Supreme Court Ruling. Many are wondering: Can a Christian Support Gay Marriage?

Here are the issues to consider in this question: Can a Christian Support Gay Marriage?

01. The Bible is Clear that Practicing Homosexual Acts is Sin

Some want to say that this is debatable, but it is not, as you can see in my article, “What Scripture Says About Homosexuality: Uncut, Uncensored and Unedited”

Notice the wording above as I have said, “practicing homosexual acts is sin.”

It is not a sin to be tempted. People face temptations all day every day to do all kinds of things that God’s Word says are wrong. Some are tempted to lie, steal, commit adultery, covet, gossip, to commit acts of violence and so on.

While being tempted is not a sin, acting on temptation IS sin. 

The Bible is clear that practicing homosexual acts is sin, whether it is in so-called “marriage” or out.

The Bible is clear that homosexual acts are sin, whether in so-called “gay marriage” or out. | CLICK TO TWEET

02. A True Christian Obeys Scripture

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21 ESV)

How could Jesus have been more clear? 

But how do we know the will of God?

Is it whatever we FEEL is right or wrong?Is it whatever the current state of the culture says is right or wrong?Is it what the Supreme Court votes is right or wrong (by just 1 vote!)?Is it what our friends & family say is right or wrong?

No, the will of God is what the Bible, God’s written revelation, says is right or wrong:“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

You will see “Artful Dodgers” who try to use verbal twisting to avoid what the Bible says about homosexuality, but that is to be expected—see 2 Timothy 3:1-5. (I answered many of these twistings in my article, “What Scripture Says About Homosexuality: Uncut, Uncensored and Unedited.”)

Entire “Christian” denominations are capitulating to societal pressures. But that is also to be expected. Even in Jesus time on earth the most hard-hearted were the religious leaders. They were the primary cause of His crucifixion! These same denominations allowing “gay marriages” are the ones who are denying the essential doctrines of the Christian faith (such as the resurrection of Christ, His substitutionary atonement, etc.)

Some Christians might not know what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. They certainly need to be informed. (Please share this article with them.)

But for those who know what the Bible clearly says (as you do now after reading this), and who simply refuse to obey and instead encourage homosexual sin or practice it themselves, here is the Scriptural challenge: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)

You might also want to study the issue “Why did God Create Marriage?” See the article I wrote on the topic HERE.

In conclusion, the basic issue is clear-cut. A Christian cannot support “gay marriage.” How people respond will be a purifying factor for the church.

Answering this question brings up some other great and difficult questions:

• Should I attend a “Gay Wedding” to be supportive of my friend or family member?

• Should a Christian practice “civil disobedience” if being forced to participate in gay marriages by providing a location, floral arrangements, wedding cakes, etc.?

• What should churches do if being pressured to perform or host “gay marriages?

• ”Should I confront my friends and family who are Christians? How about those who are not Christians?

I hope to address these questions and others in upcoming articles, and some of the criticisms that are leveled at those of us who speak God’s Truth on this issue. 

To make sure you don’t miss any of it, please subscribe to my updates. 

When you subscribe, you’ll receive my free eBook “10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth” which I believe can transform your prayer life.

Finally, I also wrote about “Seven Guidelines for Discussing Gay Marriage” and “What to do When the White House Celebrates Sin.”