Leading in Crisis: How God Forms Leaders When Life Falls Apart

Crises expose what is fragile in us, but they also reveal what God is forming in us. Whether the crisis is a national disaster, a family upheaval, or the quiet internal storms that no one else sees, leadership in crisis requires more than competence. It requires dependence. Scripture shows us again and again that God shapes His leaders in the wilderness, not after they escape it.

David learned to lead while running for his life. Moses discovered courage while wrestling with God in the desert. Nehemiah rebuilt a nation from the ashes of exile. Esther risked everything in a moment of political turmoil. The pattern is consistent. God does not wait for calm conditions to raise leaders. He trains them in the tension. He teaches them to lead with Him, not merely for Him.

Below are four biblical insights that show how Christian leadership flourishes in crisis, exegeted faithfully and applied practically.

Leaders in crisis return to God before they return to strategy

In 1 Samuel 30, David arrives at Ziklag only to find the entire camp burned and his people taken captive. His men weep until they have no strength left. His leadership credibility collapses in minutes. Yet the text inserts a quiet turning point.“But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)

The Hebrew sense here is “to fasten oneself firmly,” meaning David reached for God as his stabilising centre. Before issuing orders or building a recovery plan, he worshipped. This moment is not decorative. It is decisive. Worship recalibrates the leader before the leader recalibrates the situation. It prevents reactive decisions. It grounds leadership in God’s presence rather than in pressure.

Leaders listen carefully so they can act courageously

After strengthening himself in God, David asks the priest for the ephod, the means of discerning God’s direction. He inquires,“Shall I pursue? Shall I overtake?” (1 Samuel 30:8)

David is a seasoned warrior and strategist. Yet he refuses to lead on instinct alone. The Hebrew verb for “inquire” suggests persistent searching, not a rushed or panicked question. David submits his instinct to divine direction.

This teaches us that decisions in crisis must come from a steady place. Leaders who pause to ask God “Is this mine to pursue?” often avoid unnecessary battles. Slow your internal tempo. Ask God for clarity. Invite wise counsel. Then act with boldness when direction becomes clear.

Leaders steward people, not just outcomes

As the story unfolds, two hundred men are too exhausted to continue the pursuit. Instead of shaming them, David protects their dignity. After the victory, some soldiers want to deny them a share of the spoil. David refuses and declares,“The share of the one who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as the one who went into battle.” (1 Samuel 30:24)

This moment reveals the heart of biblical leadership. It is communal, not competitive. It honours limitations instead of scorning them. Godly leaders integrate people instead of isolating them. They understand that exhaustion is not rebellion. It is humanity.

As you lead through crisis, do not forget your people. Some will need rest. Some will need reassurance. Some will need structure. Honour the tired. Protect the vulnerable. Model fairness. The way you treat people during crisis becomes the culture they trust after the crisis.

Leaders hold the tension between lament and hope

Leadership in crisis is not pretending everything is fine. Scripture gives leaders full permission to grieve. David weeps. Nehemiah mourns. Jeremiah laments. Even Jesus cries over Jerusalem.

Yet none of them stay in despair. They move with a hope rooted in the character of God, not in the stability of their circumstances. Hope is the direction they face, even when lament is the feeling they carry.

Let people see the authenticity of your lament and the steadiness of your hope. Acknowledge the losses honestly. Name the pain clearly. Then point consistently to the God who restores, rebuilds and renews. Hope is not denial. Hope is discipleship in motion.

Why this matters for leaders today

Whether you are leading your family through recovery, guiding your organisation through uncertainty, or navigating your own internal wilderness, crisis is not the end of leadership. It is the classroom of leadership. Like David, you do not need perfect conditions to lead well. You need a posture of dependence, a listening heart, courage to act, and compassion for people.

And as every Old Testament leader discovered, the strength to lead does not come from you but through you. God forms leaders who lean on Him.

David Grant is a founder of Odigia Global, a Personal Development Organisation committed to helping you flourish in all your relationships through guidance that works. As a Christian for over 45 years, and a husband, father and spiritual leader for almost half of his life, he is passionate about equipping, empowering and engaging you with the tools to see transformation in every area of your life. Learn more about David and Odigia here.