May 10, 2025 • 22 mins
Ever feel like all the hard work happening behind the scenes in your leadership goes completely unnoticed? You're showing up, making tough calls, and carrying burdens you can't fully share—yet nobody sees the tears, prayers, and silent battles that shape who you are as a leader.
The hidden work of leadership might be the most important work you do. Those late nights wrestling with decisions, protecting your team from anxiety during uncertain seasons, and maintaining faith when progress seems painfully slow—these unseen moments are where your leadership is truly forged. Drawing from personal experience navigating organizational transitions, layoffs, and losses, this episode pulls back the curtain on leadership's most challenging aspects that rarely get discussed in leadership books or conferences.
What feels like a hidden place is actually holy ground. Just as Jesus spent thirty years in preparation for three years of public ministry, your season of unseen faithfulness isn't wasted—it's essential preparation for what's next. Whether you're leading through workplace transition, ministry challenges, or family difficulties, you'll find practical wisdom for staying anchored in difficult seasons, reframing your perspective, and resisting isolation when leadership feels heaviest. Remember: God sees your hidden faithfulness, and it matters more than you know. Your tears, prayers, and integrity behind closed doors are building something significant, even when no one else notices.
Share this episode with another woman who leads and is carrying hidden burdens. Download the free journaling exercise here to process your own leadership journey, and subscribe to continue growing together as leaders who are graced to lead.
Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and get updates! Thanks for listening to the Graced to Lead Podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Belinda Gaston (00:01):
Welcome to the Graced to Lead podcast.
I'm your host, belinda Gaston,and today we're pulling back the
curtain on something thatdoesn't get talked about nearly
enough, and that is the hiddenwork of leadership.
You know the behind the scenesstuff that no one applauds the
prayer, the self-talk, sometimesthe silent battles, just the
(00:24):
faith it takes to keep goingwhen it feels that things get
hard.
And so if you've ever felttired or unseen or like your
labor is in vain as a leader,this episode is for you.
Let's get into it.
Welcome to the Graced to Leadpodcast and listen.
(00:46):
If you are a woman who leads inthe boardroom, the church or
your home, you are in the rightplace.
Each week you'll hear realconversations, practical
insights and biblicalencouragement to help you lead
boldly and walk confidently inyour God-giving calling.
So join me on this journey tobecoming better leaders God's
(01:07):
way.
Are you ready?
Let the journey begin.
Listen, we often admire leadersfor what they do right, how they
speak, lead meetings, maybeexecuting their visions or
inspiring teams.
But leadership is so much morethan the visible moments that
you see right.
(01:27):
The real kind of formation andtraining and work of leadership
happens in the quiet places, inthe places that people can't see
, and I think that this is mosttop of mind for me because I
have been in a place whereleadership has been difficult
over the last few months or so,and so I thought I'd talk about
(01:51):
that today.
I mean, for leaders who areparticularly in seasons of
difficult leadership ortransition, there are often late
nights that you have where theymight be filled with prayer or
second guessing decisions.
There's the managing of thepeople, dynamics and holding on
(02:13):
to vision when really progressseems slow because things are
just changing.
Right, what people see whenthey look at the successful
leader is the fruit of thatleadership.
Right, they see the success ofthe team or they see the amazing
(02:34):
event or experience that thisleader has led.
But there's so much more thatpeople don't see.
They don't see the seeds thatare planted, they don't see how
things are managed, they don'tsee how sometimes, as a leader,
you even have to wait in yourleadership journey, because
(02:57):
leadership really isn'tsomething that can be captured
on platforms in the way thatother things can.
It's a process.
And so for me, this is personal, because right now, on
platforms in the way that otherthings can, it's a process.
And so for me, this is personalbecause right now I'm in the
middle of leading in majortransition and on the outside it
probably looks like I haveeverything together, but behind
(03:19):
closed doors, listen y'all.
This is not easy.
I've wrestled with so muchuncertainty.
I've stayed up late praying forwisdom, or getting up early in
the morning praying for wisdom,praying for new strategies and,
honestly, there have been timeswhere I've just cried sometimes
(03:39):
because I'm in the middle of aspace where, like many of my
colleagues, we'd have to dealwith layoffs and furloughs and
people leaving that are close tous, or important or talented
people Losing projects or workthat you may have dedicated much
of your career to.
Those things have come into mypath and it's been difficult as
(04:03):
a leader.
Come into my path and it's beendifficult as a leader.
And no one sees the difficultpart.
Quite honestly, it's just God,god sees.
But I couldn't post about it.
I didn't post on social mediaabout it.
I couldn't really even sharewith my colleagues in the
fullness of what I wasexperiencing because one I
believe as a leader, it'simportant for me to be
(04:26):
transparent, but also to beprotective, right, it wouldn't
have had any value really to gointo detail to help the people
that I'm responsible for leadingor those that I have influence
over to break down right.
But in those moments, I know forsure that, in what's happening
right now and all of the momentsI'm experiencing, I know that
(04:50):
my leadership is being shapedthe most.
It's not any podcast episodesor speaking engagements or
accolades.
It's not.
Those are not the times that myleadership has been shaped.
It's really the times when I'mexperiencing right now, where
I've been silent, where I'vesurrendered.
(05:12):
I call them my surrenderingdays.
Each day, lord, I surrender.
Each day all I can say iswhat's next?
Give me wisdom, give mestrength, give me courage to
help me move forward.
And so if you're in that placeright now and you may feel like
this labor that you're doing insecret, that you can't share
(05:32):
with anybody, is difficult, knowthat you're not alone.
It's part of our leadershipprocess.
It's easy to be a leader whenthings are high.
The question is can you leadwhen things are challenging?
That's what shapes us asleaders and, if I'm honest, one
(05:52):
of the most difficult parts forme in this journey that I'm in
right now is carrying theburdens that I can't fully share
.
If you know me, you know I'mvery transparent, and so I share
from the heart.
I say listen, this is what'shappening.
I remember I was actuallythinking recently about a time
when I was grieving at workbecause my right-hand woman,
(06:16):
dion, had passed away.
This was two years ago, and Iwould have these moments where
literally just ordering suppliesor looking at a spreadsheet or
something she developed to helpme out, any little thing would
help remind me months after shepassed about her and I would
grieve all over again.
And I remember being open andtelling my colleagues listen,
(06:38):
today's not a good day.
I'm sad.
Today I can't really do it.
I need a moment.
Today I can't really do it.
I need a moment.
But for some reason, in thisspace of leading in difficult
times, it's been challengingbeing as open.
I can tell people yeah, this ishard.
Yeah, I don't have the answers,no, I don't really know what's
(06:58):
going to happen next.
But here's what we can do, andI am very blessed in that I work
with a team of very smart,capable, incredible people and I
have a supervisor who is giftedin leading people, and so that
(07:19):
really makes things easier, Ishould say.
But the truth is I can't be astransparent with those around me
because they're relying on meto be strong.
In some cases and this is notjust in my work environment,
even in my church environmentwe've transitioned into a new
(07:41):
space.
It requires there's somegrowing pains, right, and that
requires me to lead throughchange.
Even in my home life.
I mean, even if you havechildren at home, there are
different stages.
I have a middle schooler andcollege kids, and there's
transition happening there thatrequire me to lead in this space
(08:01):
with my husband.
Because, remember, leadershipis not just me telling somebody
what to do.
Leadership is influence.
It's the responsibility ofmaking decisions, creating
strategies, direction andinfluencing others, and so
there's a burden that comes withthat, and you, as a leader, you
(08:22):
can't really share that burden.
Maybe it's because you'reprotecting your team from
anxiety and uncertain seasons.
I know that's what I'mexperiencing right now.
A large part of why I don'tfully and completely share is
because I want to protect themfrom worry, from anxiety.
Or maybe it's standing strongin faith when you're unsure
(08:45):
what's next.
Right, you know there's change,but you don't know what to do,
and so you have to be strong inyour faith.
That's a burden and, I'll behonest for those of you who are
doing things that are impactingthe growth and development of
people.
If you're equipping people to bemore like God or to live more
(09:08):
like God, there is somespiritual warfare that also
shows up.
It can show up as exhaustion,confusion, discouragement,
depression, but it shows up.
It's a burden that we can'tfully share.
And I'll tell you, for me, it'snot even the big things, right,
(09:30):
it's the little things.
It's the constant decisions,that low, what I call the
low-grade pressure right, whereyou're constantly making
decisions, the moments when myinbox is like full and I feel
like my cup is empty.
It's the pressure that I haveto be strong for my family, for
(09:54):
my friends, because life isstill happening.
Just because I'm leading in achallenging place right now, it
doesn't stop me from havingfriends who also have lives, to
having family that also haslives.
Even when you are not sure, likehow am I going to make it, you
still are responsible for it.
Have you ever been there?
(10:15):
Have you ever been in thatplace smiling on the Teams
meeting or the Zoom meeting,while silently asking God, can I
really do this?
Is this really happening?
Is this what I'm supposed to beexperiencing?
Yeah, all I can say is me too,Me too.
(10:42):
But here's the thing you arenot alone.
You are not alone.
(11:05):
Galatians 6 and 9 in the Biblesays let us not grow weary in
our well-doing.
We've heard this a lot.
For the proper time, we willreap a harvest if we do not give
up.
Listen, I want to tell you thatthe harvest is coming.
Even right now, when your workfeels hidden, when it feels like
(11:28):
nobody knows this leadershipjourney or burden that I'm
carrying, I want you to knowthat harvest is coming.
You cannot quit, don't getweary.
Harvest is coming.
(11:50):
So what do you do when you feelthis way, when your work feels
heavy as a leader, when you'releading in the middle of change
or transition, when you'releading in a challenging time,
right, what do you do?
Well, I'm going to share fourthings, and then I'm going to
stop talking, but I want you toknow one is what's kept me going
is being anchored in God'spresence.
I know it sounds cliche.
Yes, you should pray, youshould meditate, but let me tell
(12:12):
you when you're really goingthrough, if you are a person of
faith and you are really goingthrough something, there is
nothing more encouraging thansitting in the presence of God,
giving everything you have andlaying it at God's feet.
This will look like for someprayer, where you pray Lord,
(12:33):
help me, help me give this overto you.
I can't.
I don't know what to do.
I don't know what decisions tomake.
I'm anxious, I'm nervous, I'msad.
Whatever those things are,right, it helps.
For some it may be journaling.
Maybe you need to journal outyour thoughts, maybe it's
writing your journal and beinghonest, because the thing is you
(12:54):
have to have moments whereyou're honest about what you're
going through.
For some it may be sitting andlistening to music, meditating
in nature, going on a walk,whatever it is.
Find yourself an anchoring spot, whatever it is that anchors
you.
I have a friend that isanchored by family.
(13:17):
So when she feels down, shegoes around her family.
She has a lot of, very, lots ofchildren.
She has a large family and justsitting in the midst of her
family is her anchoring spot.
Listen, I don't know what youranchoring spot is.
For me it's prayer, meditation.
For others, again, it could bejournaling, it could be music,
but get anchored.
(13:37):
Find your anchoring spot.
The second thing I wouldencourage you is to remember
that you are in the positionthat you are on purpose for
purpose.
You didn't just haphazardlyfind yourself in this position
of leading in the workspace orleading in your ministry, or
starting that business, orwriting that book, or being that
(13:58):
teacher or being that mom orthat wife.
You didn't accidentally get inthat place.
You are positioned on purposefor purpose and when you remind
yourself like I'm here becauseI'm supposed to be here, because
it has to be me at this timeand there is something that I'm
(14:18):
purposed to do, it really doeschange your perspective on your
leadership and what you're doing.
The other thing that I wouldshare which is going to sound
really strange probably, butit's this place.
Remember, I said that a lot ofthe things that I do I've been
doing lately, in the last fewmonths or so in my leadership
journey, have been hidden.
I share some things.
(14:48):
I'll tell people here's whatI'm doing here.
But a lot of the toil for mepersonally has been behind the
scenes and I was like I rememberthinking this feels like such a
hidden place, but I understandnow that it's not hidden, it's
holy, it's where.
Again, it goes back to what Ijust said about being where I'm
supposed to be.
I understand that in the quietmoments, in the places that
(15:09):
people can't see is where I'mgrowing and developing as a
leader.
It's where the growth ishappening.
Yeah, it sucks sometimes, andcan I just grow on the beach,
right?
Can I just go on the beach witha pina colada?
I don't know, but it's wherethe growth happens, and so
reframing those moments as thisis part of the process can help.
And the last thing I'll say isdon't isolate.
(15:31):
I've talked about this inseason one.
As leaders, we were not meantto lead alone.
It's okay to come out ofisolation, and I am incredibly
blessed at this time in my life.
It's amazing how God has sentme friends who understand
leadership.
They understand where I am.
Many of them have been here,done this, some of them are in
(15:51):
the same spaces and I am able torelax in their presence without
judgment, and they're able toshare.
Hey, when I went through this,this is what happened and this
is how I responded.
Or hey, I noticed that you knowhappened, and this is how I
responded.
Or hey, I noticed that youhaven't had any water today.
Are you drinking, are youtaking care of yourself?
(16:15):
Or allowing me just a moment tobreathe without talking?
I have one friend that can calland she's okay with me not even
talking.
I just need your presence andshe will make conversation.
But we can also just hold thephone while we're doing other
things.
It's like when you were little,like I don't know if I ever did
this, but like back in the1900s, early 2000s, when people
used to be on the telephone forreal, not like texting or, you
(16:38):
know, video chat, but justholding the phone doing other
things.
I think my middle schooleractually does this now, where
she'll FaceTime a friend andthey'll be doing completely
different things, but just bothbe on FaceTime, not talking.
It's that making space.
It's creating space to be.
You can't isolate yourself, youknow, and if that part of being
(17:06):
hidden, that's really theblessing because, if you think
about it, jesus spent 30 yearsin obscurity before he stepped
into three years of publicministry.
His ministry was only threeyears 30 years of preparation,
three years of ministry.
So these are moments that we'rehaving that's preparing us for
the next thing, because Ihonestly believe that what's
(17:29):
happening now in the places thatpeople can't see in my
leadership is making me a betterleader and preparing me for the
next place.
I believe that this preparationwon't be wasted.
Jesus's preparation wasn'twasted, neither will ours be.
God does his best work in thebackground.
You hear me.
Just because people can't seeit doesn't mean that it's not
(17:54):
important.
And so if you're listeningtoday and you're thinking,
that's me.
I'm showing up, I'm leadingwell, but I'm tired, I'm
frustrated.
I just wish people would seeall of the work that goes in for
me showing up, I'm leading well, but I'm tired, I'm frustrated.
I just wish people would seeall of the work that goes in for
me showing up at this onemeeting, all of the work that
goes into me just doing this onething for my client, all the
(18:15):
work that goes in for me justshowing up in my home and being
a wife and a mother.
If people just knew how much ittook for me to get myself
together to go and share thatinspirational word, to teach
that Bible study, whatever it is.
If that's, you hear me when Isay God sees you.
(18:38):
You are not alone and thisperiod of preparation is
important.
Period of preparation isimportant.
Your hidden work matters, yourtears, your prayers, your
integrity behind closed doors.
If people only knew the kind ofintegrity you are carrying
(18:58):
behind closed doors, even assometimes they may slander your
name.
If only they knew it allmatters name.
If only they knew it allmatters.
You are leading well, even ifit doesn't feel like it today,
because I know that changes eachday.
Right, you are leading well,even if it doesn't feel like it.
It really is a blessing to beable to lead during challenging
(19:24):
times.
It prepares you to go from oneplace to another and I'm
confident that even for me, asI'm telling you this, even for
me I'm taking this in I'mconfident that the lessons I'm
learning right now will make mebetter at my next place.
(19:54):
Where are you sowing in silence?
Where do you need freshencouragement or fresh strength?
I believe that God will meetyou there.
Lord, I thank you for seeing usin the unseen.
I pray that you remind everywoman listening today that her
hidden faithfulness matters toyou.
I pray that you restore herstrength, that you renew her
(20:23):
vision, that you remind her thatshe is Graced to lead right
here, right now, in the midst ofthis situation.
Be with her, show her signstoday that she is not alone.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Listen, I want you to know thatthe hidden work that you're
(20:45):
doing isn't wasted.
Matthew 6, verse 4 says yourfather, who sees what is done in
secret will reward you.
It's seen by God.
Don't get weary in yourwell-doing.
Those who are influenced by youappreciate it, whether they say
(21:07):
it or not.
It's necessary because you areon purpose for a purpose,
replaced on purpose in thisleadership role for a purpose.
That's it.
That's all I have to say forthis episode today.
(21:27):
Thank you for spending time withme this week and listening.
I know that this episode waslater than usual.
I had some technicaldifficulties, but I'm committed
to continuing the work of Gracedto Lead.
If this episode encouraged you,would you do me a favor and
share this with another womanwho leads?
Can you do me a favor and sharethis with another woman who
leads?
Can you do me a favor andsubscribe, like and share this
(21:49):
podcast to help me reach others?
If you haven't already, makesure that you subscribe using
the link below in the show notesand even a review.
Leave a review if this hashelped you.
It helps other people to findthe show.
If journaling is how you areanchored, I did include in the
(22:12):
show notes free download so thatyou can do some journaling
around this topic, so pleasetake advantage of that.
We're back next week and nextweek we actually have an
interview with an amazing guest.
You want to listen next week,but until we meet each other
again, until we hear each otheragain, remember that you are
(22:35):
indeed graced to lead.
Until next time, bye, bye,bye-bye.
Welcome to the Graced to Lead podcast.
I'm your host, belinda Gaston,and today we're pulling back the
curtain on something thatdoesn't get talked about nearly
enough, and that is the hiddenwork of leadership.
You know the behind the scenesstuff that no one applauds the
prayer, the self-talk, sometimesthe silent battles, just the
(00:24):
faith it takes to keep goingwhen it feels that things get
hard.
And so if you've ever felttired or unseen or like your
labor is in vain as a leader,this episode is for you.
Let's get into it.
Welcome to the Graced to Leadpodcast and listen.
(00:46):
If you are a woman who leads inthe boardroom, the church or
your home, you are in the rightplace.
Each week you'll hear realconversations, practical
insights and biblicalencouragement to help you lead
boldly and walk confidently inyour God-giving calling.
So join me on this journey tobecoming better leaders God's
(01:07):
way.
Are you ready?
Let the journey begin.
Listen, we often admire leadersfor what they do right, how they
speak, lead meetings, maybeexecuting their visions or
inspiring teams.
But leadership is so much morethan the visible moments that
you see right.
(01:27):
The real kind of formation andtraining and work of leadership
happens in the quiet places, inthe places that people can't see
, and I think that this is mosttop of mind for me because I
have been in a place whereleadership has been difficult
over the last few months or so,and so I thought I'd talk about
(01:51):
that today.
I mean, for leaders who areparticularly in seasons of
difficult leadership ortransition, there are often late
nights that you have where theymight be filled with prayer or
second guessing decisions.
There's the managing of thepeople, dynamics and holding on
(02:13):
to vision when really progressseems slow because things are
just changing.
Right, what people see whenthey look at the successful
leader is the fruit of thatleadership.
Right, they see the success ofthe team or they see the amazing
(02:34):
event or experience that thisleader has led.
But there's so much more thatpeople don't see.
They don't see the seeds thatare planted, they don't see how
things are managed, they don'tsee how sometimes, as a leader,
you even have to wait in yourleadership journey, because
(02:57):
leadership really isn'tsomething that can be captured
on platforms in the way thatother things can.
It's a process.
And so for me, this is personal, because right now, on
platforms in the way that otherthings can, it's a process.
And so for me, this is personalbecause right now I'm in the
middle of leading in majortransition and on the outside it
probably looks like I haveeverything together, but behind
(03:19):
closed doors, listen y'all.
This is not easy.
I've wrestled with so muchuncertainty.
I've stayed up late praying forwisdom, or getting up early in
the morning praying for wisdom,praying for new strategies and,
honestly, there have been timeswhere I've just cried sometimes
(03:39):
because I'm in the middle of aspace where, like many of my
colleagues, we'd have to dealwith layoffs and furloughs and
people leaving that are close tous, or important or talented
people Losing projects or workthat you may have dedicated much
of your career to.
Those things have come into mypath and it's been difficult as
(04:03):
a leader.
Come into my path and it's beendifficult as a leader.
And no one sees the difficultpart.
Quite honestly, it's just God,god sees.
But I couldn't post about it.
I didn't post on social mediaabout it.
I couldn't really even sharewith my colleagues in the
fullness of what I wasexperiencing because one I
believe as a leader, it'simportant for me to be
(04:26):
transparent, but also to beprotective, right, it wouldn't
have had any value really to gointo detail to help the people
that I'm responsible for leadingor those that I have influence
over to break down right.
But in those moments, I know forsure that, in what's happening
right now and all of the momentsI'm experiencing, I know that
(04:50):
my leadership is being shapedthe most.
It's not any podcast episodesor speaking engagements or
accolades.
It's not.
Those are not the times that myleadership has been shaped.
It's really the times when I'mexperiencing right now, where
I've been silent, where I'vesurrendered.
(05:12):
I call them my surrenderingdays.
Each day, lord, I surrender.
Each day all I can say iswhat's next?
Give me wisdom, give mestrength, give me courage to
help me move forward.
And so if you're in that placeright now and you may feel like
this labor that you're doing insecret, that you can't share
(05:32):
with anybody, is difficult, knowthat you're not alone.
It's part of our leadershipprocess.
It's easy to be a leader whenthings are high.
The question is can you leadwhen things are challenging?
That's what shapes us asleaders and, if I'm honest, one
(05:52):
of the most difficult parts forme in this journey that I'm in
right now is carrying theburdens that I can't fully share
.
If you know me, you know I'mvery transparent, and so I share
from the heart.
I say listen, this is what'shappening.
I remember I was actuallythinking recently about a time
when I was grieving at workbecause my right-hand woman,
(06:16):
dion, had passed away.
This was two years ago, and Iwould have these moments where
literally just ordering suppliesor looking at a spreadsheet or
something she developed to helpme out, any little thing would
help remind me months after shepassed about her and I would
grieve all over again.
And I remember being open andtelling my colleagues listen,
(06:38):
today's not a good day.
I'm sad.
Today I can't really do it.
I need a moment.
Today I can't really do it.
I need a moment.
But for some reason, in thisspace of leading in difficult
times, it's been challengingbeing as open.
I can tell people yeah, this ishard.
Yeah, I don't have the answers,no, I don't really know what's
(06:58):
going to happen next.
But here's what we can do, andI am very blessed in that I work
with a team of very smart,capable, incredible people and I
have a supervisor who is giftedin leading people, and so that
(07:19):
really makes things easier, Ishould say.
But the truth is I can't be astransparent with those around me
because they're relying on meto be strong.
In some cases and this is notjust in my work environment,
even in my church environmentwe've transitioned into a new
(07:41):
space.
It requires there's somegrowing pains, right, and that
requires me to lead throughchange.
Even in my home life.
I mean, even if you havechildren at home, there are
different stages.
I have a middle schooler andcollege kids, and there's
transition happening there thatrequire me to lead in this space
(08:01):
with my husband.
Because, remember, leadershipis not just me telling somebody
what to do.
Leadership is influence.
It's the responsibility ofmaking decisions, creating
strategies, direction andinfluencing others, and so
there's a burden that comes withthat, and you, as a leader, you
(08:22):
can't really share that burden.
Maybe it's because you'reprotecting your team from
anxiety and uncertain seasons.
I know that's what I'mexperiencing right now.
A large part of why I don'tfully and completely share is
because I want to protect themfrom worry, from anxiety.
Or maybe it's standing strongin faith when you're unsure
(08:45):
what's next.
Right, you know there's change,but you don't know what to do,
and so you have to be strong inyour faith.
That's a burden and, I'll behonest for those of you who are
doing things that are impactingthe growth and development of
people.
If you're equipping people to bemore like God or to live more
(09:08):
like God, there is somespiritual warfare that also
shows up.
It can show up as exhaustion,confusion, discouragement,
depression, but it shows up.
It's a burden that we can'tfully share.
And I'll tell you, for me, it'snot even the big things, right,
(09:30):
it's the little things.
It's the constant decisions,that low, what I call the
low-grade pressure right, whereyou're constantly making
decisions, the moments when myinbox is like full and I feel
like my cup is empty.
It's the pressure that I haveto be strong for my family, for
(09:54):
my friends, because life isstill happening.
Just because I'm leading in achallenging place right now, it
doesn't stop me from havingfriends who also have lives, to
having family that also haslives.
Even when you are not sure, likehow am I going to make it, you
still are responsible for it.
Have you ever been there?
(10:15):
Have you ever been in thatplace smiling on the Teams
meeting or the Zoom meeting,while silently asking God, can I
really do this?
Is this really happening?
Is this what I'm supposed to beexperiencing?
Yeah, all I can say is me too,Me too.
(10:42):
But here's the thing you arenot alone.
You are not alone.
(11:05):
Galatians 6 and 9 in the Biblesays let us not grow weary in
our well-doing.
We've heard this a lot.
For the proper time, we willreap a harvest if we do not give
up.
Listen, I want to tell you thatthe harvest is coming.
Even right now, when your workfeels hidden, when it feels like
(11:28):
nobody knows this leadershipjourney or burden that I'm
carrying, I want you to knowthat harvest is coming.
You cannot quit, don't getweary.
Harvest is coming.
(11:50):
So what do you do when you feelthis way, when your work feels
heavy as a leader, when you'releading in the middle of change
or transition, when you'releading in a challenging time,
right, what do you do?
Well, I'm going to share fourthings, and then I'm going to
stop talking, but I want you toknow one is what's kept me going
is being anchored in God'spresence.
I know it sounds cliche.
Yes, you should pray, youshould meditate, but let me tell
(12:12):
you when you're really goingthrough, if you are a person of
faith and you are really goingthrough something, there is
nothing more encouraging thansitting in the presence of God,
giving everything you have andlaying it at God's feet.
This will look like for someprayer, where you pray Lord,
(12:33):
help me, help me give this overto you.
I can't.
I don't know what to do.
I don't know what decisions tomake.
I'm anxious, I'm nervous, I'msad.
Whatever those things are,right, it helps.
For some it may be journaling.
Maybe you need to journal outyour thoughts, maybe it's
writing your journal and beinghonest, because the thing is you
(12:54):
have to have moments whereyou're honest about what you're
going through.
For some it may be sitting andlistening to music, meditating
in nature, going on a walk,whatever it is.
Find yourself an anchoring spot, whatever it is that anchors
you.
I have a friend that isanchored by family.
(13:17):
So when she feels down, shegoes around her family.
She has a lot of, very, lots ofchildren.
She has a large family and justsitting in the midst of her
family is her anchoring spot.
Listen, I don't know what youranchoring spot is.
For me it's prayer, meditation.
For others, again, it could bejournaling, it could be music,
but get anchored.
(13:37):
Find your anchoring spot.
The second thing I wouldencourage you is to remember
that you are in the positionthat you are on purpose for
purpose.
You didn't just haphazardlyfind yourself in this position
of leading in the workspace orleading in your ministry, or
starting that business, orwriting that book, or being that
(13:58):
teacher or being that mom orthat wife.
You didn't accidentally get inthat place.
You are positioned on purposefor purpose and when you remind
yourself like I'm here becauseI'm supposed to be here, because
it has to be me at this timeand there is something that I'm
(14:18):
purposed to do, it really doeschange your perspective on your
leadership and what you're doing.
The other thing that I wouldshare which is going to sound
really strange probably, butit's this place.
Remember, I said that a lot ofthe things that I do I've been
doing lately, in the last fewmonths or so in my leadership
journey, have been hidden.
I share some things.
(14:48):
I'll tell people here's whatI'm doing here.
But a lot of the toil for mepersonally has been behind the
scenes and I was like I rememberthinking this feels like such a
hidden place, but I understandnow that it's not hidden, it's
holy, it's where.
Again, it goes back to what Ijust said about being where I'm
supposed to be.
I understand that in the quietmoments, in the places that
(15:09):
people can't see is where I'mgrowing and developing as a
leader.
It's where the growth ishappening.
Yeah, it sucks sometimes, andcan I just grow on the beach,
right?
Can I just go on the beach witha pina colada?
I don't know, but it's wherethe growth happens, and so
reframing those moments as thisis part of the process can help.
And the last thing I'll say isdon't isolate.
(15:31):
I've talked about this inseason one.
As leaders, we were not meantto lead alone.
It's okay to come out ofisolation, and I am incredibly
blessed at this time in my life.
It's amazing how God has sentme friends who understand
leadership.
They understand where I am.
Many of them have been here,done this, some of them are in
(15:51):
the same spaces and I am able torelax in their presence without
judgment, and they're able toshare.
Hey, when I went through this,this is what happened and this
is how I responded.
Or hey, I noticed that you knowhappened, and this is how I
responded.
Or hey, I noticed that youhaven't had any water today.
Are you drinking, are youtaking care of yourself?
(16:15):
Or allowing me just a moment tobreathe without talking?
I have one friend that can calland she's okay with me not even
talking.
I just need your presence andshe will make conversation.
But we can also just hold thephone while we're doing other
things.
It's like when you were little,like I don't know if I ever did
this, but like back in the1900s, early 2000s, when people
used to be on the telephone forreal, not like texting or, you
(16:38):
know, video chat, but justholding the phone doing other
things.
I think my middle schooleractually does this now, where
she'll FaceTime a friend andthey'll be doing completely
different things, but just bothbe on FaceTime, not talking.
It's that making space.
It's creating space to be.
You can't isolate yourself, youknow, and if that part of being
(17:06):
hidden, that's really theblessing because, if you think
about it, jesus spent 30 yearsin obscurity before he stepped
into three years of publicministry.
His ministry was only threeyears 30 years of preparation,
three years of ministry.
So these are moments that we'rehaving that's preparing us for
the next thing, because Ihonestly believe that what's
(17:29):
happening now in the places thatpeople can't see in my
leadership is making me a betterleader and preparing me for the
next place.
I believe that this preparationwon't be wasted.
Jesus's preparation wasn'twasted, neither will ours be.
God does his best work in thebackground.
You hear me.
Just because people can't seeit doesn't mean that it's not
(17:54):
important.
And so if you're listeningtoday and you're thinking,
that's me.
I'm showing up, I'm leadingwell, but I'm tired, I'm
frustrated.
I just wish people would seeall of the work that goes in for
me showing up, I'm leading well, but I'm tired, I'm frustrated.
I just wish people would seeall of the work that goes in for
me showing up at this onemeeting, all of the work that
goes into me just doing this onething for my client, all the
(18:15):
work that goes in for me justshowing up in my home and being
a wife and a mother.
If people just knew how much ittook for me to get myself
together to go and share thatinspirational word, to teach
that Bible study, whatever it is.
If that's, you hear me when Isay God sees you.
(18:38):
You are not alone and thisperiod of preparation is
important.
Period of preparation isimportant.
Your hidden work matters, yourtears, your prayers, your
integrity behind closed doors.
If people only knew the kind ofintegrity you are carrying
(18:58):
behind closed doors, even assometimes they may slander your
name.
If only they knew it allmatters name.
If only they knew it allmatters.
You are leading well, even ifit doesn't feel like it today,
because I know that changes eachday.
Right, you are leading well,even if it doesn't feel like it.
It really is a blessing to beable to lead during challenging
(19:24):
times.
It prepares you to go from oneplace to another and I'm
confident that even for me, asI'm telling you this, even for
me I'm taking this in I'mconfident that the lessons I'm
learning right now will make mebetter at my next place.
(19:54):
Where are you sowing in silence?
Where do you need freshencouragement or fresh strength?
I believe that God will meetyou there.
Lord, I thank you for seeing usin the unseen.
I pray that you remind everywoman listening today that her
hidden faithfulness matters toyou.
I pray that you restore herstrength, that you renew her
(20:23):
vision, that you remind her thatshe is Graced to lead right
here, right now, in the midst ofthis situation.
Be with her, show her signstoday that she is not alone.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Listen, I want you to know thatthe hidden work that you're
(20:45):
doing isn't wasted.
Matthew 6, verse 4 says yourfather, who sees what is done in
secret will reward you.
It's seen by God.
Don't get weary in yourwell-doing.
Those who are influenced by youappreciate it, whether they say
(21:07):
it or not.
It's necessary because you areon purpose for a purpose,
replaced on purpose in thisleadership role for a purpose.
That's it.
That's all I have to say forthis episode today.
(21:27):
Thank you for spending time withme this week and listening.
I know that this episode waslater than usual.
I had some technicaldifficulties, but I'm committed
to continuing the work of Gracedto Lead.
If this episode encouraged you,would you do me a favor and
share this with another womanwho leads?
Can you do me a favor and sharethis with another woman who
leads?
Can you do me a favor andsubscribe, like and share this
(21:49):
podcast to help me reach others?
If you haven't already, makesure that you subscribe using
the link below in the show notesand even a review.
Leave a review if this hashelped you.
It helps other people to findthe show.
If journaling is how you areanchored, I did include in the
(22:12):
show notes free download so thatyou can do some journaling
around this topic, so pleasetake advantage of that.
We're back next week and nextweek we actually have an
interview with an amazing guest.
You want to listen next week,but until we meet each other
again, until we hear each otheragain, remember that you are
(22:35):
indeed graced to lead.
Until next time, bye, bye,bye-bye.
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