Crucial Mistakes We Make When Assessing Our Circumstances

A few years ago, when I went through my toughest season in ministry and experienced some of the deepest sense of failure as a leader, right in the middle of it, I was in a meeting with the Governing Board, talking about some of the challenges of that season. We were going to spend some time praying for our church. But one of our Board members, hearing me assess the situation, bluntly said, “Henry, first thing you’ve got to do is get over your anger.”

One of those crucial mistakes is arrogance born in success.

And he was right. I was angry, and it wasn’t helping anything. In fact, it was hurting everything. 

And my anger was based on my assessment of the situation. My assessment was off because I couldn’t see how my anger was contributing to the problems and I couldn’t see my contribution to the problems I was facing. 

When we face a challenging situation, there are lots of mistakes we can make that, at best, don't do anything to help the situation, and, at worse, will make things worse. 

We’re looking at three of those mistakes this week, illustrated in the story of Gideon found in Judges 6 and 7. 

Avoiding these mistakes when we’re facing challenging situations will get us part of the way to courageously and graciously enduring the situation or correcting the situation in a healthy way.

Lacking in Confidence or Courage? Start by Confessing It.

It's easy to miss some of the most profound lessons when we read the Bible. 

When Deborah reminds Barak that God has called him to lead Israel, it's easy to miss the real lesson in his response.

Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” (Judges 4:8)

Yes, God's words and assurances should have been enough. But if you focus on that, you miss the point

The point is that he's not too proud to ask for help. 

And he's in good company. Barak's reluctance is much like Moses'. 

But [Moses] said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.” (Exodus 4:13-17)

If you’re timid or afraid, bring your fear to God. Tell him. Ask for help. Barak asks Deborah to come with him. And when she agrees, that’s all he needs for the courage to fight a powerful foe.

Promised Land - Week 9 from Five Oaks Church on Vimeo.