If you’ve ever sat under the leadership of someone you really admire, you know what a gift it is. Whether that person is a parent, a teacher, a coach, a small-group leader, or a boss, an excellent leader is someone who inspires, encourages, corrects, challenges, teaches, and motivates. That kind of leadership is a game-changer. In fact, when I look back over the course of my life, I can identify some major turning points that were directly related to the influence of kind, wise leaders. I imagine you could say the same.
From time to time, though, good leaders make bad decisions, and those bad decisions may result in a fall from leadership. If you’ve ever experienced the heartache that occurs when someone you deeply admire faces some sort of public failure, you know how surreal it can be. It might be that the leader was caught in secret sin, or he or she made an impulsive decision that resulted in a moral misstep. Maybe the public persona and the private person didn’t match up, and the façade couldn’t bear the weight of leadership. Whatever the reason—and there are thousands of ways to fall—there’s no doubt that it’s surreal to see someone we admire wage a private battle in the midst of public disgrace.
Ultimately, however—regardless of the whos and hows and whys—there are some very practical responses to a leader’s troubles that will serve us well while honoring the person who is struggling:
- Humility. We sometimes put leaders on pedestals and forget that they’re human, like us. Not one of us is less susceptible to failure or somehow immune to it. So, if we think for one second that there is any sin beyond our grasp, we’re kidding ourselves. From that perspective a leader’s public failure should remind us to put away our pointed finger and instead look inward, asking the Lord to “see if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:24).
- Prayer. We live smack dab in the middle of a 24-hour news cycle, not to mention that the Internet gives us around-the-clock access to the court of public opinion via social media comments. We’re exposed to an enormous amount of information that may or may not be true. That’s precisely why our wisest course of action is to resist the urge to play investigative reporter and pray instead. Pray for healing, for hope, for peace, and for restoration. Remember, God is good at redeeming.
- Gratitude. Cynicism has a way of creeping in when we find out that someone we admire is struggling behind-the-scenes. But instead of being disillusioned, be grateful. Remember all that person taught you, and be thankful for the difference he or she made in your life. Even if current circumstances seem unpleasant or discouraging, they can’t change the fact that the Lord allowed that leader to make a difference in your life. That’s cause for gratitude.
In the Lord’s providence, some leaders are only in our lives for a season. It’s unfortunate when that season ends before we think we’re ready, or if it ends in a way that leaves us feeling confused or hurt. God’s faithfulness, however, cannot be undone or diminished by people’s mistakes. Hang in there. Pray like crazy. And remember that even though leaders may let us down, our Father in heaven never will.
1. Who are some leaders you really admire?
2. What are some qualities you see in those people that stand out to you?
3. Do you have a tendency to put leaders on a pedestal? Or do you feel a certain amount of skepticism about people in leadership? Think about that for a minute, and write down your thoughts.
4. Can you think of any leaders in the Bible who let people down? Did their ministries still make a difference?
Today’s Prayer