For The Anxious Leader

There are times when leaders feel troubled, perplexed, frustrated, and discouraged. For some, there may be easy solutions: Take a vacation, accept the fact that it’s the weather or the day of the week (e.g., Karen Carpenter’s song, “Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down.”).

Other kinds of anxiety may require intensive professional counseling to even begin to understand and resolve the nature of the anxiety. But, for all who are followers of Jesus, there are wonderfully powerful promises from Scripture that provide instant encouragement and peace.

If you are feeling anxiety, take some time right now to meditate on the scriptural promises found below.

When anxious about…

Responsibilities:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Fruit:

“So shall my word be which goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it”  (Isaiah 55:11).

Direction:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).

Challenges:

“Tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3–5).

Security:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

Dear ministry leader, go about this day knowing that, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). And, “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Oh, by the way, leaders can become anxious when they lack preparation and competence for their areas of responsibility. CLC can help with performance-related anxiety by providing personalized ministry training. This includes courses, training plans, and mentoring relationships. Contact us for more information.

The following verses are excerpted from a Daily Devotional by John Piper.