Part 2 – Working for an Insecure Leader

I’m continuing a multi week blog series called, “Can You Identify?” I’m pretty excited about it because during these weeks you’ll find some type of identity within these blogs and what you can do to become, “more like Jesus” through it.

This week I want to talk about how to work under an insecure leader. Insecurity can hamstring an organization and can limit your leadership. I couldn’t imagine always have insecurity about people who worked for me. To constantly fret about what the people are doing who are supposed to be serving the vision can be an exhausting, full-time job. If I’m trying to control everybody in my organization then I’m not doing anything to grow myself or the organization. Working under an insecure leader is the worst. To constantly be scrutinized and micro-managed is no way to live. So what do you do? What can you do if you can’t leave and you seem to be stuck under an insecure leader who seems to be threatened by your success?

I’ve been there, not once but twice. The first time I worked for a narcissist who was building his own little castle and the second time was for someone who was threatened because I was finding success in the gifting God had put on my life. In both instances, I did my best to serve but when God wants to move you out, He will provide a way to do it and that’s exactly what happened. So this next little slice of David’s life is something I can identify with and maybe you can too.

1 Samuel 18:6-9 NKJV

6Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7So the women sang as they danced, and said:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”
8Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

So things in David’s life were going pretty great. He thought the king was for him, he just killed Goliath, he has a great job… then he realizes very quickly, he’s working for a very insecure leader. Like I mentioned, I found myself in this position not once, but twice! It was an awful place to be but I learned a lot about how to continue to move forward and produce fruit even while working for bad leadership.

1. Behave wisely.

“And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” 1 Samuel 18:14 NKJV

I love this verse because this comes right on the heels of Saul trying to pin David to a wall with a spear! If someone tried to kill you with a spear, would you behave wisely? What about when a co-worker or a boss tries to make you or your work look bad? How do you behave? I can honestly tell you, I suck at this. I’m a bit of an emotional person so for me, I retaliate and not just get defensive, I go offensive! This is not the right thing to do. It has gotten me in even more trouble. The Lord loves humility. Humility isn’t letting people step all over you, it’s letting God fight your battles. Staying in peace when someone tries to make you look bad or says something that would defame you. This is humility. It’s allowing God to be your defender and avenger. When we behave wisely, God is with us and He fights for us.

2. Your actions will speak louder than your words.

15Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. 1 Samuel 18:15-16 NKJV

When you continue to do what you’re called to do, you will earn respect. The insecure leader will either leave you alone or they will ramp up their persecution. God will always grace you for the time and season you are in. He will provide for you and He will protect you. He’s a good Father. You just keep honoring God in your actions and He will honor you before your enemies. I can tell you from experience. I’ve had people talk bad about me, try and destroy me, end relationship with me, and all kinds of other evil in the name of justice but the one thing I find… I don’t respond, I bite my tongue, and God fights my battles for me. He will bless you when others mess with you!

I’d love to hear how you identify with this story! Leave your comments below.

Part 1 – Favor with Difficult People

I’m starting a multi week blog series called, “Can You Identify?” I’m pretty excited about it because during these weeks you’ll find some type of identity within these blogs and what you can do to become, “more like Jesus” through it. As I read through the bible I find that there are many different people, stories, and situations that are experiences that I can identify with. The experiences I see in the word of God are way more extreme than anything I’ve experienced, however, the principles can be learned and applied regardless. The same applies to you as well. While we may never have to go through what others have gone through, we can avoid a great deal of heartache and pain if we learn from others bad experiences.

This week I want to talk about how to live your full potential under bad leadership. The biblical narrative will be from the life of David and his colorful relationship with King Saul. This is a place I think most people can identify with. Whether you’ve worked for a terrible boss, an insecure leader, or have been under a self-serving pastor on a church staff, at some point you’re going to be under someone who has the ability to make your life difficult. The one thing we have to keep in mind is that God has complete control over our life. He cares about us and loves us so He will allow certain things, even bad things, to happen to us in order to shape us into what He’s called us to be.

So what do you do? How do you fully thrive and at the same time, survive under bad leadership? Check out these thoughts and let’s see if they resonate.

1. God will put a force of favor in your life.

“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:3 NKJV

Let’s catch up on the story here… David started working for Saul as a musician. Then David killed Goliath and just after that David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, become best friends. God knew that in a short time coming up, things were going to get rough for David because of Saul, so God placed Jonathan in David’s life as a force of favor. Favor shows up when we need it. David will soon need God’s favor! God has placed a force of favor in your life while under bad leadership. Whether it’s a co-worker or someone else, God will use someone for your favor. That’s just how He works. Someone will be on your side working for your best interest.

2. Pure motives lead to God’s favor.

Then Saul said, “Thus you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’ ” But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. So when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to become the king’s son-in-law. 1 Samuel 18:25-26 NKJV

So, Saul’s insecurity has grown to the place that he hates David and is trying to do everything he can to undermine him and have him killed! Have you felt like that? Like everything you do is undermined and someone is always against you? I have! Look at David’s response. Instead he looked at the bright side. He looked for the opportunity in the set-up. Sometimes a set-up is an opportunity for a step up!

When you honor God, He will honor you. Keep your motives pure and your heart purer!

I’m going to stop for now on this post but I have many more thoughts that I’m going to share on this subject next week. Stay tuned!