Faith anticipates God’s goodness, even when ministry feels fruitless and the clay pot seems shattered. There is a resurrection coming. It may come immediately. But if not, that’s where this journey is headed. Every time your pot breaks, remember—it’s not the end. You’re not home yet. 

Think about where you feel afflicted right now. What comes to mind? Is it financial—more bills than money at the end of the month? Maybe it’s physical suffering: the doctor still doesn’t know what’s wrong. Or maybe they know what’s wrong, but just can’t make it right. Perhaps it’s relational. Your in-laws are alienated; your teenager seems intoxicated by the world; your adult child won’t speak to you.

The circumstances under which leaders suffer can vary dramatically, but we all share one thing in common. Our earthly bodies–our clay pots– often feel broken. Growing older means more cracks. 

What does a leader do when they perceive the cracks?

1. Faith Speaks

In Psalm 116, David recounts a time of profound distress. We don’t know the whole story—possibly some life-threatening illness or danger from enemies. But David gets specific over the impact: “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.” (v. 3)

Then David does something entirely counter-intuitive. He speaks. The cracks make him cries out. David calls upon the name of the Lord (v. 4). 

Make no mistake, suffering is always vocal. Be it faith toward God or the unbelief behind godlessness, our burdens and broken places trigger an automated voice within our souls. We begin to interpret our experience. We set a trajectory toward God, or we fly blind and miss Him altogether.

David believed. Upon believing, he spoke vertically. He talked to God. Following David’s example, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:13-14:

“Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”

Paul connects the cracks to his voice—and ours: “We also believe, and so we also speak.” What do we speak? Verse 14 gives the answer—we believe in a God who raises the dead.

When life and leadership cracks us open, God invites us to talk differently—more confidently Godward, more hopefully. Why? Because even when we’re surrounded by death, despair, and defeat, we believe a resurrection is ahead. That’s part of the conspiracy behind the broken pot.

Go back to where you are feeling burdened right now. Don’t just talk to yourself—listen attentively. Don’t vent. Or  grumble. Resist complaining. You’re just like the rest of us. Right now there’s a mental voice discrediting others and ennobling you. And now it’s time to toss back the covers to start the day.

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