Getting Over the Hump

Sometimes breakthrough looks a lot like simply refusing to quit.

I recently came through one of those seasons in business that seemed to consume almost everything. There were problems that needed attention, critical decisions that couldn’t be ignored, and issues that seemed to require constant monitoring. It was difficult. And looking back, I’m not sure there was one dramatic moment when everything changed. There wasn’t a meeting where I walked out and thought, That was the breakthrough. There wasn’t one prayer where suddenly every problem disappeared.

It was more like chipping away at something.

A little progress here. A problem resolved there. Another difficult conversation. Another decision. Another prayer. Another day of getting up and doing what needed to be done.

And mostly, I just didn’t quit.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I love that Scripture doesn’t pretend we won’t become tired. There are seasons in leadership when the pressure is real and the answers aren’t obvious. Paul simply reminds us not to give up.

That has become very real to me.

Eventually, all those small breakthroughs started adding up. Recently I sat through a meeting that, not long ago, would have been filled with problems requiring my attention. It lasted about eighteen minutes. There were no major issues. And I realized something: we’re through it.

When Survival Gives Way to Vision

One thing I noticed during that difficult season was how hard it was to think about the future.

When you’re dealing with today’s fire, it’s difficult to think strategically about tomorrow. Your attention naturally goes to the critical path—what has to be solved, fixed, decided or protected right now.

But almost immediately after getting over the hump, something changed.

I could see forward again.

Ideas began coming back. I had mental capacity to think about what was next instead of constantly managing what was wrong.

There may be a leadership lesson in that. Sometimes we criticize ourselves because we don’t have clarity about the next season when God is simply asking us to faithfully walk through the one we’re in.

You may not need a five-year answer today. You may just need enough faith for the next step.

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

After Jesus received the little boy’s five loaves and two fish, John tells us that He “gave thanks” before distributing the food (John 6:11).

I’m struck by that.

Before focusing on what came next, Jesus stopped and thanked the Father for what was in His hands.

When we finally come through a difficult business season, it’s easy to immediately move to the next goal, problem or opportunity. But I don’t want to do that.

I want to remember what God brought us through. Maybe your breakthrough won’t happen all at once. Maybe today is simply another chip at the problem. Keep praying. Keep seeking God. Keep showing up. Keep doing the next right thing.

And above all, don’t quit.

Eventually, you may look back and realize all those seemingly small breakthroughs became something much bigger.

You made it over the hump.

And from the other side, you can finally see what’s next.