I’m reading this book right now, and God’s really using it in my life as a leader.
I doubt many people who know me would describe me as someone who struggles with being intimidated, but you’d be surprised.
I have a theory that the flipside of most leaders’ boldness and confidence is a tendency toward fear and insecurity that can rear its ugly head when we least expect it.
I want to share 2 quick insights from the book. One is a quote, the other is a principle. And then I’ll give you my application.
First, the quote:
“It is easy to be confident as long as God is doing what we expect.”
That quote will stick with me for quite a while, I think.
When the church is growing, right on schedule, it’s easy to high five each other, flip Satan the bird, and stay on the wall.
It was easy for Peter to hack off Malchus’ ear to protect Christ as long as Jesus was leading an aggressive revolt (so Peter thought).
But when Jesus was hanging on the cross and it looked like game over, all it took was a question from a servant girl to back Peter down, to the point of denying any association with Jesus.
Boldness isn’t in how I handle success and momentum. It’s in how I handle failure and setbacks.
Which leads to the principle.
Pressure can either increase my anointing or shut down my spirit.
For Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane (Gethsemane literally means oil press), the point of pressure led him into the greatest miracle He would ever accomplish: the salvation of all who would believe in His Name.
For Peter, the point of pressure rendered him fearful and frozen.
What does pressure do to me?
Strip me of my spiritual artillery and paralyze my potential?
Or cause me to press into God and progress in His promises?