Has this ever happened to you? You start work on a project full of enthusiasm and make significant progress toward your goal. Then, as you begin to see the finish line off in the distance, problems arise that slow your progress. One problem after another arises until progress comes to a grinding halt. You feel like giving up! Congratulations, you are in the messy middle!
Encounters with the messy middle have happened to me more times than I can count. During my career, I’ve learned that the most successful leaders anticipate problems, especially in the messy middle. They work their way through the messy middle and on to their goals!
If you study the scripture, you’ll see many leaders who experience problems in the messy middle. Perhaps the most significant example of a leader enduring the messy middle in the New Testament is Paul.
From the time of his conversion on the Damascus Road, Paul spent about 32 years spreading the Gospel. Throughout that same period, Paul suffered numerous beatings. Five times he was given 40 lashes, three times beaten with rods, he was stoned, shipwrecked three times, and thrown in prison. Danger surrounded him from Gentiles and Jews, in the city and countryside, and even on the open seas. Paul was under constant attack. His whole ministry career was one problem after another, yet he persevered for the sake of the Gospel!
Writing to the Corinthians, Paul provided some sound advice for enduring the trials of life and surviving the messy middle.
1. Accept that Problems Are Inevitable
One might think that following Christ faithfully exempts us from facing life’s problems, but that is simply not the case. Paul reminds us that, as Christians, problems are a part of life. When he says, “We are hard-pressed on every side,” he is talking to all of us believers and warning us that problems will come at us in every direction (2 Corinthians 4:8).
2. Realize Problems Affect Us Personally
Paul later describes how problems affect us personally. He says we are perplexed, persecuted, and struck down (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
- We are perplexed. When problems arise seemingly out of nowhere, we sometimes simply don’t know what to do to resolve the situation.
- We are persecuted. Paul endured a life of continual persecution. In today’s world, standing for Christ will undoubtedly put you at odds with the world’s values.
- We are stuck down. Some would as soon see everyone who follows Christ eliminated. Meanwhile, in some parts of the world, claiming to be a Christ follower comes at the risk of your life. In other areas, the “cancel culture” rejects those who hold to Biblical values and seeks to deprive Christians of their livelihood.
3. Understand God Protects Us
Paul persevered through years of life-threatening problems because he knew God was with him while he did the work God called him to do. In recognizing God’s protection, Paul says we are not crushed, despairing, abandoned, or destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
- We are not crushed. While we may have problems pressing on us from every side, we are not crushed. We still have room to maneuver and work toward the goal that lies before us.
- We are not despairing. While we may question ourselves or even doubt our calling when surrounded by problems, we are not despairing because our trust and faith are in the Lord.
- We are not abandoned. While we may be persecuted for our beliefs and work for the Kingdom, we know God is faithful and will never abandon us.
- We are not destroyed. While we may get knocked down (Paul certainly was!), we are not broken. We do not give up. Our work continues despite opposition.
4. Trust that Problems Have a Purpose
Finally, Paul realized that problems are not without purpose. He trusted that every beating and every lashing he endured and every time he was thrown in prison was another opportunity to demonstrate God’s power and sovereignty to an unbelieving world (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
Toward the end of his life, Paul, writing to his young protege, Timothy, reflected on his life of ministry and the trials he endured for the sake of the Gospel, saying,
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
My hope and prayer for every Christian leader is that, like Paul, we will never give in to the problems of the messy middle. And that having defeated the messy middle problems, we will look back on our life of service to the Lord and say, yes, we fought the good fight, we finished the race, and we kept the faith!
More Articles
I have written several articles on self-discipline. You can find them by typing “self-discipline” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #470: 7 Essential Strategies for Leading in Uncertain Times
- #455: How Do Smart Godly Leaders Cultivate Their Leadership Soil?
- #452: How to Deal Responsibly with Two Kinds of Limits in Your Life!
- #380: What One Thing Do You Need to Do to Start Winning?
- #361: What Can You Do If the Battle is Unavoidable?
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As always, questions and comments are welcome. How are you doing at working through the messy middle of your life?
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Category: Personal Development | Self-Discipline
Good advice. The messy middle can be disheartening. Sort of like “the hour is darkest right before the dawn.” Perseverance takes focus, energy, and most importantly…faith.
I agree, John. Perseverance is critical. Far too many folks think that being a believer means you don’t have to deal with the problems of the messy middle, and the reality is we all have to deal with them at one time or another!