It is a myth to believe that great leaders live without fear.
Some of the most influential leaders the world has ever encountered are those who have demonstrated insurmountable courage in the midst of fear. Rather than buckling under the weight of intimidation, they chose courage and pressed forward into their destinies. Indeed, their courage has changed the course of history!
According to Kris Vallotton, “Courageous people are not fearless, they are people who refuse to let fear tell them what to do. Fear often protects treasures, valuables, and divine destinies! Fear is a spirit whose mission is to strategically demoralize its victims and scare them out of their God-given purpose.”
Today, we want to remind you that you were made for greatness as a leader! Your greatness will grow as you continually choose to live with courage, even when you face your greatest fear. Below are three important keys that will help you become a courageous leader. As you read this post, may you receive strength to persevere and step into the fullness of your destiny.
1. Don’t Give into Fear, Embrace Grace
You have an enemy who will use tactics of fear and intimidation to try to hold you back as a leader. He will do whatever he can to keep you from carrying out the fullness of your destiny. Why? Because he is threatened by your success! The place you are made to be the most successful is the area the enemy will work hardest to thwart you. Therefore, don’t back down when you experience resistance! Your greatest breakthrough could lie on the other side. In fact, Danny Silk once said that, “In the area of your [greatest] anointing, you will experience the most resistance and the most growth.”
By choosing to overcome fear, you can unlock your greatest strength. Remember, God can capitalize upon your weakness because strength is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The Lord can even take your failure and use it as a weapon against the enemy.
Do you remember what happened to Peter before he became a leader to the church? He failed! His weakness was revealed when he denied Jesus three times. However, Peter’s destiny to become a “rock” to the church was not thwarted (Matthew 16:18, NKJV). As Peter encountered God’s all sufficient grace in the place of his weakness and failure, he stepped into the place of leadership that he was called to fulfill.
Take courage today and embrace the grace of God over your life!
2. Keep the Vision in Front of You
Kris Vallotton once said that “Vision gives pain a purpose.” It is much easier to push past fear, even when it is painful, when you are aware of the great outcome on the other side. To live as a courageous leader, we encourage you to keep the vision God gave you in front of you! Habakkuk says to,
Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2-3, NKJV).
It’s important to continually remind yourself of the great work God is accomplishing in and through you, especially when you encounter difficulty and pain. Take the brilliant step of writing down your vision! Don’t let it sit on the shelf. Keep it somewhere where you will see it everyday so that you can be reminded of where you are headed.
Also, remember the prophetic words spoken over your life. Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith by remembering the prophecies he received (1 Timothy 1:18). Let those promises about your destiny bring you strength in the moments when you feel afraid. There is a resounding “yes” and “amen” in God’s heart over your destiny as a leader because the Word says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (II Corinthians 1:20, NKJV)
3. Get to Know Perfect Love
I John 4:18 tells us that “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (NKJV)
Fear cannot have power over your leadership in the presence of the One who loves you perfectly.
When you connect to the heart of your Father, you can be reminded that He does not seek to punish you; He is only full of unconditional love. He created you, chose you, believes in you, and is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).
There is no fear in God’s eyes when He looks at you, even in your weakness. There is no fear in His eyes when He sees the circumstances you face. In His presence, you can receive courage and confidence knowing that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it. (Philippians 1:6, NKJV) He will continue to develop you as a good Father and see your destiny through.
Destined For Greatness
Remember today, you are destined for greatness! Don’t let fear hold you back, even if it could be considered “wise” to take the easier route. Live with courage and take bold steps of faith so that God can unlock your greatest potential as a leader.
More Resources
- The Song of Life by Danny Silk
- 10 Simple Ways to Destroy Fear When it Attacks You by Kris Vallotton
- Fear Is Not Your Friend by Kris Vallotton
- Victorious Mindsets by Steve Backlund
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