Inside North Point

By Casey Ross, Director of Ministry Services, Browns Bridge Community Church

We spend most of our lives trying to minimize the bad and maximize the good, but every once in a while the bad happens. Sometimes it catches us by surprise. Other times we see it coming. No one is immune to the bad times. 

I remember exactly how I felt when the doctor coldly explained that my wife and I would not have children on our own. I will always remember the day we found out that the child she was pregnant with had died. And I will never forget the morning I stood in front of the church I had the privilege to lead to tell them that our church was closing.

What have been some of your bad times? Maybe they included divorce or death or a painful relationship. Maybe they revolved around hateful words spoken, promises broken, or unfulfilled dreams.

 Hopefully, these moments cause us to better appreciate the good times. But what if there is something more significant to be found in these bad times? What if these times of suffering make us better leaders?

Why is suffering significant to you as a leader? Because God wants to use your suffering to produce hope. Look at Romans 5:3-4: 

. . . but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (TNIV). 

People need their leaders to possess hope. Hope will cause people to do just about anything. Courageous things. Faithful things. But becoming a leader who truly possesses hope is not for the faint of heart. 

To be a leader who possesses hope, we must first suffer. And suffer well. We must learn to view our times of suffering as opportunities to become better leaders . . . to leverage the bad times to make us leaders worth following. So, how do you leverage the bad times? 

Instead of being a victim, embrace the suffering. Allow yourself to grieve and hurt, and accept the suffering as part of your story. Deal with the hurt in a healthy way knowing you will never forget it, but don’t live in the moment of the suffering. Begin to move forward. It will not happen quickly, but you will eventually earn credibility to lead in new ways. You might become a leader who cares more deeply about people. You might become a more patient, determined, and decisive leader. Most importantly, you will become a leader who possesses hope, because you have experienced hope. 

This process isn’t easy. And it is not fast. But the alternative, living in defeat, feeling bitter or angry, can end your leadership.