What do leaders need to know about challenges and risks?

Psalm 91:5Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Proverbs 11:8The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.

Proverbs 14:16The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

Proverbs 22:3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Ecclesiastes 10:9When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.

Romans 8:35Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Leaders understand that growth and success occur at the edge of risk. This does not excuse taking foolish chances, but it does mean that we can call upon God when we are put in difficult situations. Whatever the degree of risk, we should trust in God and his love for us.

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Mark 4:39-40When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Philippians 4:6-7Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:18Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Caution is different from fear and anxiety. Caution weighs concerns and then moves forward. Fear and anxiety paralyze us. God calls us not to fear but to love him and trust in his power. To lead in a godly way, we must first learn to follow Jesus with a deep and abiding trust.