Leading When You Are Low

Numbers 20:1–13

No matter how seasoned you are in leadership, there are days when the weight of grief, disappointment, and fatigue leaves you dangerously low. In Numbers 20, Moses faced such a day. His sister Miriam, his companion from the Nile to the wilderness, had just died (v. 1). She was more than family; she was part of his calling.

Almost immediately after her burial, the people began to complain about water, once again. This wasn’t just bad timing; it was a perfect storm. Moses, deeply wounded emotionally, prayed (v. 6), but when he rose from prayer, he still acted out of frustration rather than faith.

Instead of speaking to the rock as God commanded (v. 8), Moses struck it twice in anger (v. 11). This out-of-character act cost him the privilege of leading Israel into the Promised Land.

Miriam’s death (v. 1) created an emotional vacuum. Moses had experienced loss before in his Egyptian identity and wilderness exile, but this was personal. The people’s complaint (v. 2–5) was not new, but grief magnified irritation.

God’s instruction (v. 7–8) was precise: “Speak ye unto the rock.” Moses’ prayer (v. 6) was genuine but incomplete and he left the altar without surrendering his spirit’s frustration.

Moses’ reaction (v. 10–11) was fueled by unresolved emotion, calling them “rebels,” misrepresenting God, and striking the rock. God’s response (v. 12) showed the seriousness of leading while misrepresenting His heart.

When leaders are low, unprocessed emotions can distort obedience, misrepresent God, and bring lasting consequences.

How to Respond When You’re Low

I.  E – Examine Your Heart Before Acting

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” - Proverbs 4:23

Before making a decision, ask yourself “Am I reacting from my wound or responding from God’s Word?”

“An unexamined heart is a loaded weapon in the hand of a weary leader.” -Unknown

If you don’t pause to examine your heart, you will act out of the hurt in it.

II.  M – Make Space to Grieve

“Jesus wept” - John 11:35

Even Christ allowed Himself time to express sorrow, showing that leaders aren’t machines. Grief must be acknowledged, not buried under ministry duties.

“Grief that is not processed will be preached in your tone, taught in your reactions, and led in your decisions.” - Carey Nieuwhof

You cannot lead well in the present if you are ignoring pain from the past.

III.  O – Obey God Precisely, Not Partially

“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” - 1 Samuel 15:22

Moses prayed, but his follow-through wasn’t obedience, because it was altered by frustration. Obedience under pressure is the truest test of faithfulness.

“Delayed obedience is disobedience; partial obedience is disobedience.” - Charles Stanley

God measures obedience by precision, not by passion.

IV.  T – Take Your Emotions to God Fully

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7

Moses prayed, but he carried anger back into the crowd. True prayer leaves burdens with God, rather than carrying them into action.

“Prayer is the place where burdens are transferred, not just talked about.” - E.M. Bounds

If you walk away from prayer with the same weight you brought, you haven’t prayed, you’ve talked. Prayer will surrender the burden!

V.  I – Invite Wise Counsel

“In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” - Proverbs 11:14

In seasons of emotional depletion, decision-making is clouded. Wise voices can give perspective and slow you down before you act rashly.

“Isolation is the enemy of wisdom.” - Unknown

The loneliest leader is often the leader who falls the hardest.

VI.  O – Own Your Mistakes Quickly

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” - Proverbs 28:13

Moses didn’t defend his disobedience. He later acknowledged it in Deuteronomy 1:37 and 3:26, showing that leaders earn trust not by being perfect, but by being honest. Moses’ failure was recorded for all time, but leaders today can limit the damage by making a quick confession.

“The best time to own your mistake is immediately; the second-best time is now.” - John Maxwell

Humble ownership restores credibility faster than defensive explanations.

VII.  N – Never Forget Who You Represent

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD.” - Isaiah 43:10

Moses’ anger misrepresented God’s patience. Leaders represent God’s character, not their own emotional state.

“Leaders are billboards for the God they serve.” - A.W. Tozer

When people see you, they should be able to see through you to Christ.

Moses was a great leader, yet in a low moment, unprocessed grief and unresolved frustration led him to act out of character. The lesson for leaders is clear: If you do not manage your emotions under God’s authority, your emotions will manage you under the enemy’s influence.

Is there grace for making a mess? Absolutely! Moses was still the greatest prophet. “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel. - Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Don’t get too bothered and think, “That was a harsh sentence of judgment from God!” Moses would eventually enter the Promised Land; he just did not get to lead the people in.

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. -Mark 9:2-4

When you’re low, lean harder on the Lord. Examine your heart, grieve honestly, obey fully, pray completely, seek counsel, own mistakes, and remember, every decision either magnifies or misrepresents the God you serve.