THE RESILIENT LEADER
“Do not rejoice over me my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” - Micah 7:8Definition of Resilience: “The capacity to recover quickly from difficult life events.” It’s not how high you can jump, or how fast you can run, but how well you can bounce!
1. Resilient people are committed to finishing strong
Quitting is never an option. (2 Tim 4:7) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Have a finish-line mentality. Winning is not the most important thing - but putting forth the effort to win is!
2. Resilient people are inspired by a big picture view of life
Heb 12:2 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Long-term vision will get you through all of life’s short-term disappointments!
3. Resilient people don’t carry excess baggage
· They are quick to repent and quick to forgive.
· They know how to trust God instead of living in fear and worry.
· They refuse to carry bitterness and offenses – their own or anyone else’s.
· They respect the past and learn from its wisdom rather than re-living its trauma.
4. Resilient people train to go the distance
They prepare themselves for emergencies of life. Getting through tough times demands emotional resilience. Overcomers continually grow their minds and harness their emotions. "A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.” (Prov 24:16)
5. Resilient people run with their own company
(Acts 4:23-24) “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So, when they heard that they raised their voice to God with one accord and said, “Lord You are God, who made heaven and earth, and all that is in them.” Who do you go to when you have problems? It is good to have friends who know the Word of God and know how to pray in faith.
In Psalm 27 David said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Leaders have something to fall from, but they also have something to get back up for! God is not finished with you yet! You’re not finished until you’ve finished your course! Believe that! Get back up! Get your eyes back on the Lord and keep going!
Yours, that you might finish your course with joy!
~ Dr. George Hill ~