Leadership has its own challenges. There is no leader who can boldly say he or she isn't having one issue or the other in his or her leadership assignment. Couple with the fact that you as a leader have been called to solve problems or given a specific task to accomplish within a timeframe, there are problems you would also encounter while doing this.

 

For example, Moses' leadership assignment was to lead Israelites to the promised land. But part of the problems he faced doing that was the fact that the children of Israel were stiff-necked people. So, he encounter series of challenges delivering on his assignment. Exodus 32:9 tells us "And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!" Sometimes he will tell them to do something, they won't do it simply because they were stubborn folks.

 

So, the core of our discussion today is in overcoming some of these leadership challenges. What are the practical, Biblical steps that you can take as a leader to resolving challenges when you are faced with them in your leadership assignment. We will examine different case studies in the Bible, we would see their outcomes and then, learn from them.

 

The first step or point of call for a leader is to ADMIT THAT THERE IS A CHALLENGE. If you don't admit that there is a challenge to be resolved, then moving on or progressing might actually prove difficult. Let us see the book of Acts 6:1-7 to corroborate this.

 

"Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. ⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."

 

The apostles, being the leaders of these new group of believers were quickly able to admit that there is a challenge here and rose to the occasion of the complaints being raised against the Hebrews by the Grecian speaking Jews. The resolution of the apostles were pleasing to the people and the matter was quickly addressed. In leadership, when you see a challenge, admit it, don't shy away from the problem, because this is what many leaders love to do. They want to "explain away" the problem and in doing so, they remain on the same spot not making progress.

 

Listen To Podcast: Leadership Challenges: 3 Biblical Steps To Overcoming

 

The second step or point of call for a leader is to TAKE THE CHALLENGE TO THE LORD. There is no big deal in you praying to God as a leader to help you in certain matters. King David was no doubt a great leader. But in all his skills and greatness, he never feel remorseful asking God for help when the challenges before him were too much for him to carry. I want us to examine one of such times in the book of 2 Samuel 5:17-20. The Bible says:

 

"Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. ¹⁸ The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹ So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ²⁰ So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim."

 

There are a number of things we could pick from that passage. David inquired of the Lord whether he could go ahead and face the Philistines, even though we know that the man David was always battle ready! In doing that, he got the assurance from the Lord that he was going to overcome the Philistines. You see, the advantage of taking the challenge you are facing in your leadership to the Lord is that He would give you assurances that you will come out of them. He would walk you through the challenges until you have emerged victorious over it. I believe we got that.

 

The third step or point of call for a leader is to ASK FOR HELP whenever the need arises in overcoming the challenge. The apostles didn't have to be the one to carry out the task in the text above. Verse 3-4 showed us that they beckoned to others to help them oversee the matter. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

 

The lesson here is this: As a leader, never ever neglect the place of asking for people's hands to help you when you need it. God may have given you a leadership assignment no doubt, but you would need one or two person's hands to help you as the need arises. In Exodus 17:8-12, there is a great account about Moses that I want us to consider. That account properly drives the importance of help in overcoming challenges. The Bible says:

 

⁸ Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. ⁹ And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” ¹⁰ So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ¹¹ And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. ¹² But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. ¹³ So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

 

Did we see that? As Moses' hands were been supported by Aaron and Hur, Joshua was winning the battle in the frontlines. But those period that his hands were down, they were losing the battle. So as a leader, we should never neglect the place of seeking for help. Perhaps, maybe your leadership assignment has been wearing you out simply because you haven't deem it fit to seek for help. Seek for help today, and watch yourself and your organization make that tremendous progress that you have been desiring.

 

I believe you have been blessed.

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!

Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond to them as soon as possible!