We all have challenging seasons as leaders and churches. For me, I’ve just been through a particularly challenging season and even a bit of a storm. We know it’s a storm when the winds of adversity and persecution begin to blow and the pressure increases!

Here’s a few things I’ve learned and still learning from Challenging Seasons:

1. When the pressure is on – go to God

When Jesus entered the garden of Gethsemane (Gethsemane = ‘olive press’ in greek) it was the pressure cooker! Jesus went to pray to his Father. If Jesus needed his Father during the pressure times and challenging seasons.

2. When the pressure is on – you need your friends

Jesus asked his disciples to stay with him and be with him in the garden and be alert. We need friends to encourage us, we need our friends to stick with us.

3. When the pressure’s on – we need somewhere / someone to vent to

Just like a pressure cooker needs a vent at the top to let off steam, you and I need to vent. The important thing is to vent to the right people! We can vent to God (Just read some of the Psalms!!) He understands our frustrations. One of the greatest way to ‘let off steam’ is to laugh with your friends. Our british sense of humour is great because we are able to laugh at ourselves and situations we are in.

4. When the pressure’s on – Guard your heart

We need a security system on our heart to keep the frustrations and or disappointments from ‘dis -appointing’ us from the ‘place’ that God has ‘placed’ us in.
As a Pastor, God made me sensitive! Sometimes I wish I was less sensitive – I know that is a gift and an asset but if not guarded then our disappointments can cause discouragement. And discouragement is a killer!

5. When the pressures on – be present

Jesus didn’t need a theological discourse when he was in the garden of Gethsemane. He just wanted them to be there. To be alert to his needs and to be present. As a leader we are called to set the tone, lead the line and be present in communicating the challenges we are facing in our church or ministry. Your people don’t need you to be perfect, but they do need you to be present.

As a congregation member or follower this is also true for us. How can we help our leader through challenging times? By being there! You don’t have to have all the answers, but be there. Don’t retreat in the heat! Even if you don’t know all the answers and you don’t know what to do sometimes, just stand!

6. When the pressure’s on – communicate clearly

Communication is vital. The challenge is what to communicate, who to communicate to and which forums to use. In the days that we are living communication is expected and needed. Be honest, be a little vulnerable but have wisdom and think through what you are saying. Think about the forum you are speaking to and speak appropriately.

7. When the pressure is on – understand it’s just a season

‘No pressure…no diamonds’ If there is a fight then there must be something worth fighting for. If there is a battle then there must be a victory ahead. Ask God and ask yourself ” What is this season?” Why are we fighting. Get some understanding from God as to why you are in this season.

8. When the pressure’s on – get perspective

Do all that you can to get perspective. A season of challenge means that we can feel like the disciples in the storm. All we can see is the wind and the waves and the perilous situation. We have to lift ourselves out and force ourselves to get a:

• Kingdom perspective
• A generational perspective

If God wants to build you into a ‘cathedral’ leader then he is going to have to allow you to be tested. ‘No tests, no testimony!’ Cathedrals took hundreds of years to build and yet live on for a thousand years and more.

9. When the pressure’s on – make tough decisions

In the book ‘between a rock and a hard place’ (From where the movie 127 hours was taken) Aron Ralston had to cut off his own arm when it became wedged in a rock after falling while out hiking. In order to survive for the next season, you may have to make some tough decisions. They will probably cause some pain, it may feel like your arm is being cut off, but when you come through the other side, you are alive and you are able to move on, being grateful for the fact that you are still breathing!

Not all situations are like this but sometimes the stripping away of things is necessary and actually allows us to get perspective for a new season. The things that we thought were essential are maybe not so necessary.

10. When the pressure’s finally off – be thankful

When we come out of the other side of the season of pressure and the storm is abating, be thankful, shake yourself off  and prepare for the next season.

Take time to step back and discover what you have learned and understand that you are now not just a leader, but you are a leader with experience!