Leadership Can Be Lonely

“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.” (2 Timothy 4:16–17)

One of the things leaders know is that while many people will never step up to be the leader, there are plenty of people willing to criticize any steps towards leadership you might take and tell the whole world how they know better and why you did it wrong! While you will always accomplish more while working with others, you can’t always count on being supported or liked by everyone. No matter what you do, some people will be difficult and negative. So, you must stay focused on your God-given goals, be who you are, and trust God to do what you cannot do.

Real leaders make tough decisions, even when it means they end up less than popular. The road to true leadership can be lonely. But once you reach your goals, the rewards are enormous. Paul writes: ‘No one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear…And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom’ (vv. 16-18).

When others forsake you, the Lord will stand with you. The Lord will strengthen you. The Lord will deliver you. The Lord will reward you. You are called to love others and work with them. And if you find that you’re inadvertently doing things that alienate, discourage, or drive wedges, ask God for wisdom and insight to rectify the situation. But know this: when you have no one left but God, you will discover that God is enough!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, keep me faithful in doing what You ask and direct, knowing that it is always the best thing to do for Your Kingdom! In Jesus’ name, Amen.