Biblical Business Leadership: STRESSParaugs

4. Organizational Stress by Imagination.

As leaders, we too often keep many of our concerns inside, thinking that doing so is a show of strength to those who follow us. 

But doing so can raise our stress levels and even cause us to act out of fear instead of faith.

Let’s look at two examples from the Bible for a closer look. First, remember Gideon of the Old Testament? The one who put out the fleece to test God’s will?

The story of Gideon starts with an angel of the Lord appearing to him, and telling him what kind of faith God has in his abilities:

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” – Judges 6:12

God’s first task for Gideon was to destroy the local altar to Baal and build a second altar to God. Even though Gideon just met the angel and had numerous servants to help him, check what happens:

So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.  – Judges 6:27

In this first assignment, Gideon starts imagining about what his family & friends might think, and then as his stress level builds, he becomes afraid and secretly completes his assignment under cover of darkness! 

As a second example, let’s look at King Saul, Israel’s first corporate leader. Saul was appointed as king when he was just 30 years old, and held the job for 42 years. 

Early in his career, Saul was given an assignment from God through the prophet Samuel to destroy the neighboring Amalekites. He willingly did this and brought back its king and the best of the plunder as a sacrifice to the Lord.

However, that wasn’t what was requested:

And he [God] sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’  Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?”  – 1 Samuel 15:18-19

Following a short dialog with Samuel, Saul confesses his mistake – but check what Saul, leader over all Israel, gives as the reason for not obeying:

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. – 1 Samuel 15:24

Saul was afraid of the men! Saul’s own stress after imagining what his team might think led to a failed project assignment and end of his career.

Gideon & Saul both knew exactly what God’s plan was, but internal stress led them to act out of fear, with mixed results.

Reflection / Application

1. Has your own internal stress about what others might think ever led you to complete any of your assignments or responsibilities “under cover of darkness” so that others might not see?

2. Can you recall an instance where you did not speak to your team about certain issues because you were afraid of how they might have reacted or what they might have thought?

3. When you feel sure that your plans are in line with God’s will, can you also trust him for the result, even if this means sharing your thoughts or concerns with others on your team? Will prayer for wisdom, courage or confidence help in this? Could that generate a better result?