The Quiet War: Leadership Battle Fatigue (and What to Do About It)

Howard Satterthwaite, Church Relations Lead at a Global Christian Charity, Trustee with Kintsugi Hope, coach, author

The Christian life isn’t like a war – it is a war. And leaders, we’re on the front lines.

March 9, 2026

Only, the way it’s being waged in the West isn’t always visible. A young persecuted Egyptian believer put it like this:

“We’re all in the same fight. Mine is a more brutal form; yours is more subtle. We’re hit by the stick of persecution. You have the carrot of comfort dangling before you.”

If you’re feeling battle-weary, discouraged or burnt out – like I was – give yourself some grace: you’re a combatant in a very real war. No, we don’t have militants storming our homesteads, and I in no way want to diminish that. But we do face the coordinated attack of the world, the flesh, and the devil working overtime to shut us down and shut us up.

Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, quoted British preacher Campbell Morgan who ‘once said that persecution was the devil’s second-best tactic. His best tactic is materialism and we in the West have been sleepwalkers in our faith for too long, forgetting…that we are even in a spiritual battle’*

C.S. Lewis’ classic novel The Screwtape Letters** imagines correspondence between two demons – a senior, manipulative mentor (Screwtape) and his apprentice (Wormwood) – coaching him in the art of sabotaging Christians. In that upside down world, the ‘Enemy’ refers to God.

Permit me then to explore how such demonic dialogue might play out for today’s Christian leaders – albeit with a lot less skill. My hope is that through Satan’s twisted logic, God’s truth comes into sharper focus.

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From the Desk of Arsenic, Tempter Emeritus

My student Scaldwick,

Busyness is godliness

Exploit the West’s technological advancement, and its accompanying speed loving, self-improvement obsessed culture by convincing your patient that activity = identity. Keep him always moving so that he has no time for anything apart from Our Father Below’s religion of doing.

Permit none of that “be still and know” (Psalm 46:10) nonsense. If you foolishly fail to keep such thoughts at bay, drown them out by amplifying his inner critic; that prophet of doom who serves Darkness so well. Point out every flaw in his performance, whilst appealing to his pride, suggesting he can always do better. He’ll soon wear himself out in the name of the Enemy with an ever-decreasing awareness of His revolting love.

No-one really cares

Leaders often feel alone – capitalise on that. He knows people care, but when he’s tired make him think it’s superficial. Let him believe no-one really understands what he’s going through. Better yet, suggest even the Enemy isn’t interested. Let him bottle up his frustration. Let it fester. Add a sprinkling of cynicism – and watch him self-isolate.

Weakness is shameful

This one’s easy in a survival of the fittest society. Help him to believe that real leaders don’t struggle. Suppress anxiety. Subdue depression. Don’t let anyone know how you’re really feeling, or they’ll condescendingly judge you and render you unfit for service. That’s the internal dialogue we want him to keep rehearsing.

Focus on the problem

Finally, keep his eyes fixed on what’s going wrong – the figurative wind and waves – that will see him sink toward our abode. Budget shortfalls. Staff tensions. Platform pressures. That one disgruntled church member who always seems louder than the rest. Remind him that he’s ministering in a goldfish bowl – always observed, never at rest. If he sins, make him obsess over it. Whatever happens, never, I repeat NEVER let him look at the Enemy.

Your devoted mentor,

Arsenic

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How to Fight Back

That was the devil’s playbook – here's how we can fight back with truth and hope.

1. Being before doing

Godliness begins not with output, but intimacy. Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Our value is not in what we acquire or accomplish, but what He’s done for us and who we are in Him.

2. God really does care

From Eden to the epistles, He invites us to share how we’re really doing: ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:9); ‘pour out your hearts’ (Psalm 62:8); ‘cast all your anxieties upon Him’ (1 Peter 5:7). Is there also a mature believer, counsellor or spiritual director you could share with?

3. Weakness is our superpower

God’s power is ‘made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). The cracks in our lives are where His light often shines through. Where has He anointed you to comfort others? (2 Corinthians 1:4).

4. Look to Jesus

As Robert Murray McCheyne said, “For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ.” Lift your eyes to the water-walking, serpent trampling, storm stiller. His compassion is stronger and power is greater than whatever you’re facing.

If This Resonates With You…

If this resonates with you – or if you’re discouraged, or walking beside someone who is, the new book Hold On To Hope is for you. This “riveting, comforting” (Debby Wright, Vineyard) “gem of a book” (Andy and Sue Glover, Fresh Streams) features discouragement detoxing insights from leaders like Dr RT Kendall, Paul and Becky Harcourt, and Katia Adams. Find out more at howardandholly.com. Proceeds support kintsugihope.com and opendoorsuk.org.

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