There are three types of students in every group project. There are leaders who immediately take charge, assign tasks, and create a group chat they’ll text nonstop (even though the project isn’t due for another month). There are contributors who quietly complete their section of the project and submit good work by the deadline. Then there are the slackers. These students miss meetings, push deadlines, and may not even know the topic of your project. I naturally tend to become one of the group leaders, and it’s stressful. I worry about who will be assigned to my group and if there will be more slackers than contributors. I worry about everyone finishing their parts with enough time for us to edit them all together. I worry about everyone showing up prepared for the presentation. If there’s anything I’ve ever learned in a group project, it’s that leadership is stressful!

There are inevitable feelings of responsibility, pressure, and stress that come along with leadership. Even when you are leading with purpose in the perfect role, the desire to glorify God and make a difference can become overwhelming when so much is up to you.

Peter understood the pressures of leadership. Imagine watching Jesus lead a movement absolutely perfectly for three years then being expected to continue what He started? The standards were set impossibly high! Peter wrote a letter to Christians throughout the Roman Empire who were being treated unfairly because of their faith in Jesus. He knew every Christian was facing persecution of some kind: from being made fun of to being left out to being verbally or physically abused. His advice was simple: “Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

God has called you to be a leader, but He hasn’t called you to endure the pressures of leadership on your own. God wants to set you free from the overwhelming anxiety, worry, stress and doubts that are preventing you from pursuing your purpose.

READ Philippians 4:6-9
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
When we get anxious, our minds run wild with worry. Instead of letting stress consume your thoughts and steal your focus away from what God has called you to do, guard your mind in Jesus.

When anxiety says you have too much to do, the peace of God says you have so much opportunity to do good.
When anxiety says you don’t have enough support, the peace of God says you have all the help you could need from Jesus.
When anxiety says you should quit, the peace of God says you should ask for help. When anxiety says you are the only one who cares, the peace of God says Jesus cares about you and called you for a purpose.

Stress doesn’t have to make you a mess! When you find yourself more focused on the pressure of leadership than your purpose in leadership, it’s time to shift your thoughts to things that are true and praiseworthy. Do you remember why Peter said you can cast your anxiety on God? Because he cares for you. God loves you and wants you to experience a purpose-filled life that brings you fulfillment and peace. No matter what you are accomplishing or what others are saying, God loves you and wants to give your soul peace.

Don’t let stress distract you from leading others with the influence and gifts God has given you. Focus on the opportunities you have to lead your family, school, church, sports teams, and community. You will overcome even when you feel overwhelmed. Let thoughts of true, pure, praiseworthy things guide you with thankfulness and peace.

TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Q1: What is one thing you’re thankful for today?
Q2: Why do you think stress is inevitable for leaders?
Q3: What are the most common stresses and pressures you think about as a leader in
your family, school, church, or team?
Q4: What are some true and pure thoughts that could replace those negative thoughts
in your mind?
Q5: Do you usually focus on stress with a negative perspective or a perspective of
peace?
Q6: What prayer of thanksgiving can you commit to praying every time you feel
stressed this week to focus your mind on true and praiseworthy thoughts of peace?