Resilience: A Tentpole of Biblical Leadership

Contributor: Wyatt Thompson

This week, I and my Odyssey Connections peers read in Called to Lead that Paul was accused of being unqualified to lead Christians because of his physical deformities, yet he chose to stay grounded in Christ because of His grace.  In the conversation today, we explored how resilience is a tentpole of biblical leadership by discussing what it means to give and receive criticism.

What Is Criticism?

Criticism is feedback on personal observations.  There are times when it is incorrect and irrelevant.  However, criticism can be truthful.  In fact, one of my peers shared that after receiving what seemed to be hurtful comments, he realized God was getting his attention about the affections of his heart. 

Through criticism, God can personally reveal something He wants to prune so that He can sit on the throne of my heart; He can show me how my priorities should be reordered.  In turn, He reminds me that I am made in His image and my identity is in Him, not in a talent or dream.  It does not necessarily mean that He wants to hide those talents and dreams in a box, it is just that He might use them differently than I originally hoped.

How Can Criticism Be Abused?

Everyone responds differently to criticism.  Some people are more comfortable with the blunt truth while others prefer an encouraging conversation.  For this reason, my heart posture and elocution matter when providing criticism because it should come from a place of love and respect for the one in need of help. 

If I am not careful, I can give into the desires of my flesh and hurt my recipient.  In turn, the devil can use it as an opportunity to lead believers down a path of self-consciousness and doubt.

There Is A Choice

If I am the recipient of criticism, I have the choice to hold on to the comment and become bitter or remember that I am made in the image of God and that my identity is in Him.  Although I know the latter in my head, it is very easy to adopt the former as the truth. 

Even when I choose to walk in my identity in Christ, those feelings do not go away immediately.  In fact, it sometimes becomes harder to not give attention to it.

Even the finished clay pots have no virtue or power of their own.  They are simply instruments in the Potter’s hands, fashioned by Him according to His own good pleasure. – John MacArthur, Called to Lead

Being grounded in Christ allows me to persevere through the hardships and sufferings of life.  It can be disappointing to hear that what I have put time and energy towards was not well-received and want to do everything in my power to make sure it is appreciated.  However, I have the power to rise above it because I belong to Jesus. 

In the end, His grace is all I need to be content (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9).  He belongs on the throne of my heart and I belong bowed before Him at His feet.  When I am grounded in Christ, I can be resilient against the lies and nothing can prevail against me when I walk in His freedom.