Early in my leadership journey, I found myself growing impatient. I had worked tirelessly on a new initiative, expecting immediate results. But nothing seemed to change. Little did I know, this was a crucial phase in my leadership growth, where patience was about to reveal its transformative power.
I poured effort into mentoring people, building a vision, and creating opportunities—yet progress felt slow. I questioned whether my work was making any impact. If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wondered why your efforts aren’t producing immediate fruit?
Jesus used farming metaphors to explain profound spiritual truths and one of those truths is this: the harvest reflects God’s timing, not ours. Just as a farmer doesn’t see immediate results after planting seeds, a leader must trust the process, knowing that God’s timing is perfect. Along the way, we’ll face opposition, and the enemy will try to steal or destroy our harvest, but perseverance is key. Let’s explore three biblical principles about patience, opposition, and trusting God’s timing in leadership.
The Harvest Reflects God’s Timing, Not Yours (James 5:7)
A farmer doesn’t plant seeds in the morning and expect a full harvest by nightfall. He knows there’s a process. James 5:7 reminds us: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”
In leadership, we often want instant results. We want to see our influence grow, our teams thrive, and our businesses succeed—but God’s timing differs from ours.
Consider Joseph’s journey. He was given dreams of leadership, yet he spent years in slavery and prison before stepping into his calling. If Joseph had given up during the waiting season, he would have never stepped into his leadership role in Egypt.
For Christian leaders, this means trusting that God is working even when we don’t see it. When results seem delayed, our role is to remain faithful, to keep planting seeds, and to wait patiently for God’s perfect timing.
The More You Sow, the Greater the Harvest (Luke 6:38)
A discouraged leader once asked me, “Why am I not seeing results?” My response? Leadership is about consistent sowing.
Jesus said in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
The principle is simple: the more you sow, the greater your harvest. If you consistently invest in people, pour into your team, and lead with integrity, your efforts will multiply over time. It may not happen overnight, but small, consistent efforts lead to significant impact.
Consider Paul’s example. He tirelessly sowed the gospel in different cities, often facing rejection and hardship. Yet, his relentless commitment led to the church’s expansion across the world. If you want a leadership harvest, keep sowing generously.
- Want a strong, engaged team? Sow encouragement and clarity.
- Want a God-honoring business? Sow integrity in every decision.
- Want to see spiritual growth in those you lead? Sow the Word of God daily.
Even when you don’t see immediate results, trust that your faithful sowing will produce a great harvest in God’s timing.
The Enemy Tries to Steal or Destroy the Harvest (Malachi 3:11)
Every time God begins to work, opposition arises. Malachi 3:11 warns, “I will rebuke the devourer for you so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil.”
It’s a fact of leadership life. The enemy seeks to disrupt what God is growing in your leadership. But armed with this knowledge, you can be prepared and resilient in the face of opposition.
Consider Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. As soon as he made progress, opposition came in the form of threats, false accusations, and sabotage attempts. But Nehemiah didn’t stop building. He trusted God, stayed vigilant, and completed the task.
As a leader, you will face:
- Doubt—The enemy whispers, “Your efforts don’t matter.”
- Criticism—People will question your leadership.
- Spiritual Attacks—Distractions, discouragement, and conflict will try to derail your mission.
But stand firm. Stay faithful. What God has promised, He will fulfill. No opposition can stop a harvest that God has ordained.
Conclusion
Leadership is not about quick rewards but faithfulness, patience, and perseverance. Delays and opposition are part of the process, but if you remain steadfast, your harvest will come in God’s perfect timing.
What seeds are you planting today? Are you trusting God’s process, or are you growing impatient? Stay faithful because what you sow today will determine what you reap tomorrow. I encourage you to reflect on your leadership journey and identify areas where you can sow more effectively, trusting in God’s timing.
Action Steps for Leaders
Applying the principles of patience, perseverance, and faith in leadership requires intentional action. In the following section, I will provide five practical steps to help you remain steadfast and cultivate a leadership harvest that honors God.
- Trust God’s Timing – Remind yourself that delays are not denials; God is working in the unseen.
- Keep Sowing Generously – The more you invest in others, the greater your leadership harvest will be.
- Expect Opposition – Stay firm in your calling, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.
- Pray for Strength – Seek God’s wisdom and endurance in your leadership journey.
- Stay the Course – Don’t abandon the field before the harvest; remain faithful and watch God work.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to reflect on how God’s timing, opposition, and perseverance impact your leadership journey. Consider how you can apply these principles to your daily leadership decisions.
- Have you ever felt frustrated waiting for leadership results? How did you handle it?
- How can leaders practice patience while waiting for a harvest?
- How do you respond to opposition in your leadership journey?
- What does it mean to sow generously in leadership?
- How has trusting God’s timing strengthened your leadership over time?
More Articles
I have written several articles on accountability. You can find them by typing “Accountability” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #630: Why Your Leadership Harvest Depends on the Environment You Create (Part 3)
- #629: The Foundational Laws of the Harvest: What Every Leader Must Know (Part 2)
- #628: The Law of the Harvest: How Leaders Reap What They Sow (Part 1)
- #620: To Judge, Or Not to Judge: That is the Question!
- #593: Are You Harnessing the 7 Laws of the Harvest in Your Business?
Join the Conversation
As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences. Which of these three laws of the harvest do you think most leaders struggle with the most?
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Category: Skills/Accountability
“The harvest reflects God’s timing, not yours.” Thanks for this reminder. Sometimes I feel impatient about goals I set, forgetting that the harvest is not entirely up to me.
I’m with you, John; I often think, “if it is to be it’s up to me,” forgetting that God may have other plans!