This Blog was written by Andrew Douglas
In you, Lord my God, I put my Trust
Psalm 25:1 NIV
My phone buzzed on my bedside table. The screen lit up the room. I crept out of our bedroom to take the call from one of my key employees. It was 10:30 p.m. He apologized but it was urgent – we’d been hacked.
The hackers who chose to target our company were sophisticated. For the next 36 hours we worked feverishly to stop and then clean up the havoc they left behind. They ended up causing $20,000 damage.
I’ll spoil the cliff-hanger ending by telling you that everything worked out. Facebook took responsibility and refunded the money. But for a few days, in the middle of the panic, working on no sleep, I hit rock bottom. I was exhausted. I felt alone. Hopeless.
It’s been two years since I founded Story Digital Marketing. Revenues have grown steadily, and I work with a great team of people. Our client list is growing. Things are good.
I have a long history with God. I know deep down in my bones that He is good. God has been way better to me than I would have been to myself. I love Him, and it says in Romans that everything works out for the good of those who love Him, so if it’s not good, it’s not over yet. God has never given me a stone when I asked for bread. He loves me so much that He sent His son for me. I could go on and on. I’m convinced that He’s good.
Despite all that history with God, I let my mind take control. I looked at the facts and forgot to see the truth. The facts were bad. The truth is always good because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
There are a lot of scary facts right now because of events happening here or on the other side of the world. But the truth is still the same – God is good, He loves us, and Jesus is victorious.
Maybe you’re like me and have had moments in the past few weeks where you can’t sleep and forget to hope. Let me tell you how I’ve since processed my own traumatic event:
Maybe you’re like me and have had moments in the past few weeks where you can’t sleep and forget to hope. Let me tell you how I’ve since processed my own traumatic event:
- At the Monday morning prayer meeting for Business Owners, run by Workplace Network, one of my friends reminded me that He is always faithful, His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3). I’ll remember that the next time I’m faced with a sleepless night.
- My wife, who is very wise, reminded me that leadership is about vision, and vision is about hope. I’ve since realized that hope’s foundation is the goodness of God. I forgot that He’s good. I lost hope. I won’t do that again.
Another friend with a long history in business said something surprising. I was telling him about my experience and he said simply, “Well, do you want it? This all comes with leading something important. Are you prepared to carry the stress?”
I was taken aback. I was expecting him to say something soothing and tell me everything’s going to be okay. Instead, he reminded me that just because God calls you to something doesn’t mean life becomes easy. All He promises is that He’s there, always, and that He’s good.
If you are leading, be the most hopeful person in the room.
If you are leading, be the most hopeful person in the room. Jesus isn’t worried. He has won the victory. Choose hope and you choose to see situations through His eyes. Filled with hope is exactly where we must be.
Reflections:
1. Ask God to remind you of His goodness.
2. Ask God to show you three areas where He wants you to hope.
3. Ask God for a verse that you can keep in front of you next time you’re faced with the temptations to worry.
