Joshua
1:8-9 This
Book of the Law… you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success… Be strong and courageous.
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.”
The boss walks into your
office and shuts the door. “I think Leslie has a nose problem. I just heard
that she is heavy into cocaine. We can’t have her around here. I want you to
get some dirt on her and get rid of her.” Your first reaction could be to offer
help to Leslie, and find a rehab facility for her. You share this with the boss
but he responds, “No. I don’t care what you do on your own time. But she needs
go from here. Now!”
Caught between a rock and a
hard place do you give in and unjustly fire her? Or do you go to Leslie and
help her find help and somehow save her job? Perhaps, you could go over your
bosses head and find help from his superior. How does a Christian respond?
You may not face this exact
situation but there will come a time when a leader’s faith will be tested. The
time will come when business pressure from peers, intellectual logic and fear
will push you into making a wrong decision. Fear and discouragement can keep us
from the right decision. Courage, on the other hand, can lead us to stand on
Godly principles and make the right decision, even if it hurts us in the
process.
Courage is not always doing
brave and heroic things. Sometimes courage is expressed in a way that only God
knows what has happened. Fear of losing power, not being recognized or having
our ego hurt will cause us to make the wrong choice.
Godly courage requires faith
and trust that He will protect us and pick up the pieces from having to do what
is right. Remember, every decision we make impacts the development of our
character and our future. It is therefore important to take time in making
decisions that will reflect your faith, values and principles as a Christian.