Forged in the Fire: Five Realities That Shape Lasting Leadership
Lessons in Resilience, Faith, and Kingdom Leadership
Every Christian will eventually encounter the collision of faith and hardship. While our culture prizes strength, success, and control, Scripture points to a different path: enduring faith. This kind of faith doesn’t collapse under pressure; it matures, refines, and leads with Kingdom clarity even in chaos.
John Davenport, CEO of DAVENPORT Engineering and a longtime C12 member, experienced this when loss, illness, business strain, and family struggles pressed in from every side. His journey is a testimony of God’s sustaining power. Through the fire, John discovered that trials can shape leaders into wiser, stronger servants who reflect God’s glory in every arena of life.
Five Realities for Leading Through Trials
Trials are part of the path God uses to strengthen faith and forge His people. We gain perspective by learning from those who have endured hardship with endurance and clarity. John’s story highlights five realities to help us lead with faith, courage, and Kingdom focus when the pressure is high:
3. Embrace a Soldier’s Mindset
Faithful leaders are soldiers on mission. John reframed attacks on his family and business as part of a greater spiritual war. Instead of asking, “Why me?” he asked, “How do I fight faithfully here?” That perspective turned fear into courage.
4. Advance with Kingdom Action
Resilience means moving forward. Whether investing in your team, serving your community, or shepherding your family, faith-driven leaders refuse to disengage when opposition comes. They answer resistance with prayerful, decisive action.
5. Guard and Renew Your Soul
For John, his “chair” became a sacred place to meet with God. Every leader needs rhythms of renewal, moments to be refilled by Scripture, prayer, and God’s presence. Without this, leadership becomes unsustainable. With it, even long seasons of trial can produce growth.
1. Expect the Battle
Leadership is not neutral territory. When you follow Christ and lead with a Kingdom vision, opposition is inevitable. Trials are not signs of failure. They are proof that you’re advancing the mission.
2. Anchor in God’s Presence, Not Circumstances
Circumstances shift. God does not. John’s turning point came when he stopped asking for situations to change and instead sought God’s presence in the midst of them. The mindset shift from deliverance to endurance unlocked a peace no trial could take away.
Leading with Joy in the Storm
Looking back years later, John can affirm that his leadership is now marked by unshakable peace. As he puts it:
“If the circumstances don’t change and God’s there, I’m good. I will see the goodness of the Lord, whether those circumstances align like I want them to or not.”
The same can be true for you. Resilience is about learning to lead faithfully in the middle of the storm. As you face pressures in life and business, you have the opportunity to anchor deeper in God’s presence, model endurance for those you lead, and let your faith shine brighter than your circumstances.
Lean into the lessons John has learned. Choose to meet God in your own “chair,” daily renewing your strength in Him. Step forward as a leader who endures the fire and shows others what it means to trust God through it. Your faith will sustain you and point your family, employees, and community to the hope found only in Christ.
Strengthen Your Leadership by Confronting Stress
Leadership comes with hidden stressors that, if left unchecked, can erode faith, health, and relationships. The best leaders face these pressures head-on.
Take five minutes to complete our Leadership Stress Check and see where stress may be silently undermining your leadership.
This tool will help you:
– Identify where stress may be weakening your leadership.
– Recognize patterns that diminish spiritual endurance.
– Take biblical steps to restore balance and strength.
This week, set aside time to pause, reflect, and realign—for your own well-being, for the people you lead, and for the Kingdom impact God has entrusted to you.
C12 Business Forums provides an architected environment for Christian business leaders that integrates work, life, and leadership transformation. To learn more about C12’s approach to Christ-centered business leadership, find a C12 Business Forum near you.
October 6, 2025
