Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
Benjamin Franklin

Bill is a hustler. He hustles because he’s the primary caregiver for his daughter. Bill is a single parent. His life is filled with working four jobs, supporting his daughter’s activities, and managing his community duties. Life should reward him as a positive role model. However, it doesn’t. Bill feels cursed. He can never get ahead. His life is full of one drama after another. Bill wonders if it will ever end.

Should a leader ever expect some trouble in his personal life? Let’s begin this frank Your frank discussion. Although the saying “Trouble Don’t Last Always.” is a staple in most Black churches, it’s certainly evident in my life. Paul Van Gorder, a contributing writer for Daily Bread, writes, “Life’s realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps.”

Let’s explore an application. As I completed my graduate assignments, I found Trouble showing up at my house regularly. I grew frustrated with Trouble’s constant interruption into my scholarly affairs. Didn’t Trouble realize God gave me this graduate program? Well, I got a revelation from reading Jeremiah. This prophet found himself complaining to God about this character Trouble.

God’s response to Jeremiah spoke to my own plight. God says in Jeremiah 12:5, “Jeremiah, if you get tired in a race against people, how can you possibly run against horses? If you fall in open fields, what will happen in the forest along the Jordan River?” It struck me like a rock. I took the scripture to heart and made it personal. Here’s my revision, “Daryl, if you grow weary with doctoral assignments, how can you possibly share the Gospel with hardened-heart men? If your confidence fails during minor setbacks in life, what will happen to you when society challenges your testimony?”

Therefore, I need to be encouraged because Trouble don’t last always.

References:
Gorder, P. (2006). Life is Real. Our Daily Bread, Volume 50, Number 12.

Holy Bible (Contemporary English Version)

© 2006 by Daryl D. Green

Daryl D. Green has published over 100 articles in the field of decision-making (personal and organizational), leadership, and organizational behavior. Mr. Green is also the author of two acclaimed books, Awakening the Talents Within and My Cup Runneth Over. He is a columnist, lecturer, professor, and management consultant. Mr. Green has a BS in engineering and a MA in organizational management. Currently, he is a doctoral degree in strategic leadership. For more information,visit his website at http://www.darylgreen.org