Ambiguity and uncertainty are givens for leaders. The vision is still percolating. The project is still being massaged. The employee situation is still unresolved. Not to mention the strained relationship in our personal lives. How can we remain resolute when so much around us is in flux?
Recently, an unresolved relationship in my personal life bled into ministry life. When my attempts to reconcile a previously close friendship were brushed aside, my heart ached. I took my hurting heart to work the next day, and soon noticed a lack of freedom in interacting with others. That made my heart hurt even more! I knew I needed some extra God-time.
The next morning, I talked it through with the Lord. He didn’t give me the key to restoring the relationship. But He gave me Himself. And His love. And His Word. And that was enough. As His love refilled my deflated heart, I felt whole again. Secure. Confident in Him.
Psalm 116:7-9 says, “Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”
1) Return. As soon as you feel angst related to an unresolved situation—whether personal or work-related—go to the Lord. Open your heart and open His Word. He’ll meet with you and give you perspective.
2) Rest. The deepest, truest soul rest is found when we’re with the Lord.
3) Remember. As you’re talking with God, reflect on His character. Remember His goodness and faithfulness to you.
4) Entrust. As you’re trusting God in the midst of the unsettled issue, actually entrust it to Him. Hand it over to Him. He’ll deal with it in His time and His way.
5) Walk. With a heart full of love and peace from the Lord, walk on and engage with the people and responsibilities God has entrusted to you.
As leaders—who are human beings—it’s normal to experience dissonance when things are unresolved. It’s how we handle the dissonance that makes the difference. We can take our personal problems to work, and we can take our work problems home. But the best place to take them is to the Lord. That’s where we’ll find rest, peace, and strength to forge ahead.
“As leaders, we can take our personal problems to work, and we can take our work problems home. But the best place to take them is to the Lord.”
- Lisa Hosler
How has God helped you stand firm in the midst of unresolved situations in your life and ministry? Feel free to share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.
