Let me ask you a question – how are you doing right now? Wait, I mean really, how are you doing? The leaders I am speaking with on a daily basis consider this the toughest time they have ever been through, especially pastors. I understand. Regardless of the type of organization you lead, it seems as though 50% of your staff and those you serve seem furious with whatever decision you make.
It is hard to give others hope when you are struggling to have some yourself. Once again, these are very, very difficult times.
Earlier today, I published the video above to help leaders navigate these turbulent waters we face. Below is the Bible passage I referenced along with 7 Encouraging Lessons On Dealing With The Overwhelming Problems In Our World Today I gleaned from the passage:
Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
- Storms Are Not Always Your Fault – “He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’” Jesus is omniscient. He knows everything and He knew a storm would arise, yet He sent them anyway. Often, we are sent into storms of perfection, not correction, which make us more like Jesus.
- Great Storms Can Arise Instantly – The topography of the Sea Of Galilee often caused violent storms to arise instantaneously. I explain this in the video above. Oftentimes, our life can just be going along just fine when suddenly, out of nowhere, we are thrust into an economic, physical, emotional, financial, or psychological storm. Many times this happens because of no fault of our own.
- Great Storms Can Be Overwhelming – “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.” When storms happen in our life, they are often more than we can seemingly bear. It seems we can’t plug the holes or bail water fast enough. We can begin to feel frightened or hopeless during these times. Which leads to the next point…
- Great Storms Frighten Even The Most Experienced Leaders – “He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified”. These were experienced fishermen with Jesus. They had grown up on the sea and seen many storms. But they had never seen a storm like this before. Likewise, today’s leaders have never seen a storm like COVID-19 and the social unrest we are seeing. And many leaders are fearful and afraid.
- Jesus Is Still In The Boat And Can Calm Any Storm – “But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.” Are you asking where is God in all of this. Are you wondering if He is asleep. Trust me, just like the story above, Jesus is right here with us. Things are not falling apart, they are falling perfectly into place. And because He loves us and is with us, we can have the faith and confidence we will survive this storm.
- All Storms Pass – “And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” There is one thing all storms have in common – no matter how violent, they all pass.
- Something Better Awaits You On The Other Side Of The Storm – We often don’t teach Mark 5 in relation to Mark 4. But what was on the other side of the storm was significant. Jesus healed the demon-possessed men. And if we remain faithful, trusting Jesus and doing everything we can do as leaders, God also has something very good on the other side of this storm for us.
Leaders are dealers in hope. I trust this encouraged you today and provided you some hope. We’re going to make it to the other side and when we do, there will be something very, very good waiting for us.
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