Leadership Growing Pains – Reflections on Moses

The truth is, even with the very best intentions, we can end up acting in ways that work against what God is trying to do in us and through us. New circumstances, new opportunities, and new responsibilities can all trigger old scripts and before we realise it, we can be operating from a place of insecurity rather than our solid foundation in Christ.

When that happens, we risk sabotaging our own leadership. Because these patterns not only damage our relationships, churches, and ministry environments—they can also quietly erode our intimacy with God. As 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The life of Moses reveals three overlapping and recurring internal challenges—growing pains—that every believer and leader must face if we want to lead with maturity and authenticity.

1. What You Know About Yourself (That No One Else Knows)

In Exodus 3–4, we meet a Moses marked by deep rejection. Raised in the palace of an empire that sought to destroy his people. Rejected by both Pharaoh and his fellow Hebrews, Moses struggles with belonging through much of his life.

His early attempt to “deliver” his people came not from divine calling, but from unresolved pain and personal resentment. It led to a crisis—not just of faith in God, but in himself.

It’s easy in leadership to focus on the needs, flaws, and shortcomings of others, while ignoring the unresolved issues staring back at us in the mirror each morning.

But if we want to move forward, especially in times of great uncertainty and change—we must confront what we know about ourselves but prefer to avoid. This is an invitation to embrace spiritual maturity and our growing pains.

Moses, despite his resistance, eventually accepted God's assessment—and it changed everything. He aligned himself with a greater purpose than his personal wounds.

Ask yourself:

Are you facing this first growing pain? Are you willing to deal with what you know about yourself—and let God transform it?

2. What Others Know About You (That You May Not Know)

Most of us like to think we know ourselves well. But in Exodus 18:13–24, Moses is confronted by his father-in-law, Jethro, “What is this you are doing?... What you are doing is not good.”

Moses had gone from believing he was incapable of helping his people to thinking he was the only one who could possibly do so! His passion, while sincere, had become unsustainable—and dangerous. Jethro’s loving challenge saved Moses from an unhealthy sense of self-importance, burnout and led him to delegate wisely.

In our culture, correction is often viewed as failure. But biblically, correction is a gift. A sign of growth and progress. Any leader who regularly receives loving challenge from a mentor, friend, coach, or spiritual director should consider themselves blessed.

At some point as leaders, we must be willing to be confronted, not only with the impact of our deficiencies, but also with the impact of our power. We need people who will tell us, both the positive and the negative, truth about ourselves.

Ask yourself:

Who do you allow to speak truth into your life? And do you listen?

The most dangerous leaders are the ones who never do.

3. What God Alone Knows About You (and you and others no longer notice)

In Numbers 20:2–12, Moses loses his temper. Again.

Despite his extraordinary relationship with God, Moses’ anger toward the people—and what had developed into a misplaced sense of self-importance—led to a devastating outcome. He disobeyed God's instruction, struck the rock and forfeited his place in the Promised Land.

God alone knew the internal strain Moses was carrying. And God alone called it out.

When other people’s opinions and approval become more important than God’s without us even noticing that it’s happening, that’s when we can become ‘insulated’ from seeking honesty and accountability.

Some truths about ourselves can only be revealed in the quiet presence of God—not through sermons, books, or conversations, but through stillness, honesty, and intimacy with Him. Truth is revealed whenever we are prepared to pause long enough to ask God the tough questions: What’s really driving me? What do You see in me that I’ve missed or hidden?

Ask yourself:

Are you making space to hear what God alone can tell you?

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Kate Coleman

Author of 7 Deadly Sins of Women in Leadership, Metamorph: Transforming Your Life and Leadership

Founder and Co-Director of Next Leadership

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