Finding Strength in the Lord Before Sunrise
Nov 05, 2025by Cheryl Perkins
Our Story
Tasha stepped into the office parking lot before the sun rose, the skystillquiet and dim. She had barely slept the night before—emails, decisions, team conflicts, and expectations had piled high. She felt the weight of being the oneotherslooked to for answers. Leadership often looked impressive from the outside, but today it felt heavy.
She sat in her car for a moment, phone still in her hand, halfway to opening her inbox—again.
But something in her paused.
The verse she grew up hearing came back to her, gently, unexpectedly:
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
She had heard it countless times at funerals, on greeting cards, in songs. But today shedidn’thear it as poetry—she heard it asinvitation.
Shedidn’thave to lead this day alone.
Shedidn’thave tomanufacturestrength, clarity, confidence, or courage.
She could be led.
She could be guided.
She could be restored.
She closed her eyes, exhaled, and whispered, “Shepherd me today.”
And something inside settled.
The daydidn’tmagically become easy—but she moved through it differently: slower, clearer, grounded. Not reacting. Not rushing. Not striving.
She led fromrest.
Introduction
Leadership is often associated with motion—planning, directing, deciding, solving. But the most effective leadersdon’tjust move; theymove from a centered place.
Psalm 23 reveals a leadership posture rooted not in self-generated strength, but inbeing led.
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”(Psalm 23:1)
This truth applies whether one is deeply spiritual or simply seeking grounded guidance:
Leadership is not only about what we carry—it’salso about what carries us.
A shepherd leads with attentive care—guiding, protecting, restoring. This is leadership that is relational, not transactional… confident, not forceful… steady, not frantic.
When leaders embrace this way of being:
Their decision-making becomes clearer.
Their communication becomes calmer.
Their presence becomes more grounding for others.
Their leadership becomes sustainable.
Rest does not remove responsibility—itrestores capacityto lead well.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”(Psalm 23:2–3)
Rest is notweakness.
Rest is wisdom.
Leadership Development Principles
Lead from Rest, Not Rush
Clarity is often found in stillness—not urgency. Give yourself time to breathe and center before responding or deciding.
YouDon’tNeed All the Answers at Once
Leadership unfolds step-by-step. Trust that guidance often comes progressively, not all at once.
Strength Is Shared, Not Self-Made
You are not meant to carry everything alone. Healthy leaders delegate, collaborate, and lean on support.
Comfort is a Leadership Strength
Leaders who create emotional safety cultivate trust, loyalty, and honest communication.
Goodness and Mercy Are Following You
Your journey is not defined by past mistakes. Growth, favor, and grace are pursuing you—even when youdon'tsee it.
Reflection Questions
What am I currently carrying that I have not released or shared?
Where do I feel rushed—and what would it look like to slow my internal pace?
Which relationships or responsibilities need more gentleness from me?
Where do I sense God inviting me to rest and trust more deeply?
Scripture Focus
Read Psalm 23 (full chapter), meditation emphasis on verses 1–4
Closing Prayer
Lord,Youare my Shepherd.
Teach me to lead from Your rest, not my own striving.
Restore the places in me that feel worn and stretched.
Guide my decisions, my words, and my interactions.
Lead me beside stillwaters, andlet my leadership reflect Your peace.
May goodness and mercy follow me wherever I go.
Amen.
Cheryl Perkins
Dr. Cheryl Perkins serves as the Chaplain of Avodah Dynamics, leading with grace, wisdom, and spiritual insight. She guides the Avodah community in faith, prayer, and purpose—helping individuals align their work, worship, and daily walk with divine calling.
Tagged with:Faith & Spiritual Growth
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