Dave Kraft, author of Leaders Who Last and Mistakes Leaders Make writes this at The Resurgence...
We make a mistake when we allow discouragement to replace dreaming.
It is noteworthy that in the middle of a chapter on shepherding and leadership in 1 Peter 5, we find this: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (v. 8).
Satan is after leaders first and foremost. Leaders are his prime targets.
The devil has many tools in his bag of tricks: sexual temptation, financial greed, pride, for starters. When he can’t trip us up with obvious and blatant temptations, he will throw something more subtle our way, like discouragement.
[...]
Here are some of the things that can still open the door for discouragement in my life:
- When I am criticized
- When I am tired and on the edge of exhaustion
- When I am misunderstood
- When my expectations are dashed and not realized...according to my time-table
As a leader who often struggles with discouragement and is regularly reminded by the Holy Spirit of the importance of dreaming in ministry, Kraft is helpful for me. Read the whole piece, including some remedies: "When We Allow Discouragement to Replace Dreaming." Also check out his new book, Mistakes Leaders Make. I'm grabbing a copy.