08/26/2026
LEADING THROUGH LOSS
Does a tree mourn a diseased branch when an arborist decides to prune it? No.
Does a clay pot mourn when a potter decides to shave off a lump of misshapen clay? No.
Does a pipe mourn when a plumber decides to realign it's system? No.
Does a person mourn when a surgeon removes a cancer? No.
If you are a pastor, leader, or minister; you are serving the Father. When the Father removes a person that is diseased, not a good fit, misaligned, or like a spreading cancer, then trust His skillful hands that is caring for what belongs to Him. We know this - it's ultimately His ministry, and He is asking us to steward what He entrusts to us.
Also ask for wisdom on how to help remaining people to heal from what feels like a loss, to help adjust to realignment, to lead the remnant to move forward with vision.
Keep dying to self and finding your identity, purpose, and provision as one made complete in Christ. Soak in God's presence. Jesus pulled away from people all the time because with or without a crowd, Jesus understood His wholeness was found in knowing and being known by God. Shed any feelings of disappointment, rejection, or grief. Put off any feelings of guilt, shame, or fear that are so common to being human. Drop any weights or sins to run and finish your race. Receive the acceptance and the empowerment of grace. Love God and love people, guarding your heart from anything that would threaten love. Surround yourself with a strong support system. And don't forget to bind a spiritual enemy assigned to take you out of commission. We are not ignorant of his devices. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. Amen?
Like King David, lead well.
David was a psalmist. Take care of your heart and soul, and lead from a place of strength in God.
David knew how to accept loss and move forward. He washed his face from a death and had another baby. Don't get stuck in what once was. God is doing a new thing!
David had faith in God. He knew what he was facing was bigger than himself, but in the face of it, he said, "Who would dare defy the armies of the living God?" Fight the good fight of faith as one with delegated authority and as one endued with power.
David led with grace and accepted broken people. His first group of fighters were depressed, discouraged, and in debt. People were drawn to David because of his heart for God, his ability to win, but also because of the grace he extended. Love the ones who leave because they ones who stay are watching how you navigate the imperfection of others. We all need grace.
David surrounded himself with good counsel - people who knew him, loved him, and like Nathan, were not afraid to speak truth to help him.
David communicated vision. What do your remaining people need? Is it trust? Transparency? Confidence? Change? Reassurance? Renewed vision? Freedom? Protection?
Demonstrate it.
Preach it.
Post it.
Navigate through it.
Leaders, may God be with you as you continue to lead others through the mountain tops and the valleys. God is with you!
