Cyrus, King of Persia 500 years before Christ was born, believed that “men did not know what cares he sustained under the imperial crown, for it they did, they would not stoop to take it up.”

The burden of leadership is in deed heavy.

The Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, experienced intense physical suffering from gout, rheumatism and Bright’s disease (inflammation of the kidneys). In addition, emotionally Spurgeon endured intense slander and recurring depression over his years of service, resulting in his stating,

“You will find the bravest of God’s servants have their times when it is hard to hold their own; when they would be glad to creep into a mouse-hole, if they could there find themselves a shelter.”

Psalm 34:17 should be of comfort to all believers; however, particularly heartening to those who serve in leadership, stating,

“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

I’ve personally found the following words of nineteenth century theologian C.H. MacKintosh particularly reassuring and instructive,

“It is most needful for all servants of Christ to remember that whenever the Lord places a man in a position of responsibility, He will both fit him for it and maintain him in it. It is, of course, another thing altogether if a man will rush unsent into any field of work, or any post of difficulty or danger. In such a case we may assuredly look for a thorough breakdown, sooner or later. But when God calls a man to a certain position, He will endow him with the needed grace to occupy it. This holds good in every case. We can never fail if we only cling to the living God. We can never run dry if we are drawing from the fountain of Christ.”