Here is something I’ve learned about pastors and leaders…first hand…

We often let the few negatives overshadow the many positives.

Things can be going great, but we can get one negative email…and the whole day is ruined.

We can miss the blessings God is providing by focusing on the distractions of a few critics we may never please…regardless of what we do.

Am I alone in that?

Understanding this about myself (and anyone else who will admit it), changes the way I view some Scripture.

Consider one of our “go to” favorite verses of encouragement, Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Put it in the context that it was delivered. Notice Vs. 10

“For thus says the Lord : When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”

What do you think the people heard?

Don’t you think they heard the “seventy years” more than they heard the “future and hope“? Yet, which would you think was God’s intent…to encourage or discourage? (Hopefully, you know the God who is love enough to answer that correctly.)

Everything can be going according to plan. God can be working in your life, but the critic can destroy your perception of reality.

That’s why, as leaders, it’s important that we keep our mind on the bigger picture of what God is doing, rather than the voices of the negative minority.

Who is brave and honest enough to admit I’m not alone here?