Me: That walk can be a tough walk.

Prodigal: Yes, I agree. You have to be courageous.

Me: That is very true.

This comes from the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

Courageous leaders face unpleasant and even devastating situations with equanimity, then act firmly to bring good from trouble, even if their action is unpopular. Leadership always faces natural human inertia and opposition. But courage follows through with a task until it is done.

People expect leaders to be calm and courageous during a crisis. While others lose their heads, leaders stay the course. Leaders strengthen followers in the middle of discouraging setbacks and shattering reverses.

Facing the ruthless armies of Sennacherib, Hezekiah made his military preparations and then set about strengthening the morale of his people. “Be strong and courageous, ” he told them. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him…..With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us, is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And then the Scriptures report that “the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8) .

James 5:1-3

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is rusted; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have laid up your treasure together for the last days.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org