A Leader’s Heart

by Nohemie Brevil

“Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. Acts 27:34–36

Life can be challenging for all of us. Storms come in many forms—physical, emotional, or spiritual. Yet even in the middle of these storms, God’s purpose never fails. Paul shows us what a leader’s heart looks like: calm in chaos, confident in God, and committed to encouraging others. Instead of keeping his faith to himself, he lifted the spirits of everyone around him. We are all journeying through this storm-tossed world together—so why not shine the light of Jesus Christ, offering hope and strength along the way?

I think of a storm from my own life—when my premature baby came home from the NICU and struggled to breathe at night. I stayed awake night after night, terrified to fall asleep. Exhaustion set in, and fear tightened its grip. One night, my husband gently reminded me, “God is watching over him. You need to rest; staying awake won’t change God’s plan.”

In that moment, something shifted in my heart. As much as I loved my baby, I could not control the outcome. I realized how often I had been carrying burdens that belong to God. Psalm 127:1 echoed in my spirit: “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” I had taken on the role of the Watchman—the one who belongs to God alone, the One who never sleeps. Truly, God is our ever-present help.

That night made the lesson of Acts 27 come alive. Strength comes when we trust God and take care of ourselves, so we can encourage others. Like Paul, my husband didn’t keep courage to himself—he shared it with me. And now I want to share it with someone else. A leader’s heart isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about trusting God, drawing strength from Him, and helping others do the same.

This is the heart of the gospel: Jesus does not abandon us in our storms. He is our strength, our peace, and our hope. As we trust Him, He empowers us to encourage others, to love generously, and to point them to the One who is greater than any storm. Just as Christ gave His life for us, we can give our courage, our strength, and our compassion to others, letting His light shine through us.

I am forever grateful for the night my husband chose to trust God for our son’s life and invited me into that same trust. My prayer is that I can offer someone else that same gentle reminder—whether through a prayer, a word of encouragement, or a spark of hope to ease their worry.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me not to settle for a survivor’s mindset but to embrace a leader’s heart. Strengthen my faith so that, like Paul and the godly leaders in my life, I may remain calm, confident, and encouraging—even in life’s storms. Help me trust You fully, share Your hope freely, and reflect Your light wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Steps:

• Pray for someone: Think of one person who may need encouragement in their faith or comfort in a current struggle. Pray for them, and send a quick note, text, or voice message to let them know you care.

• Give your worry to God: Choose one worry you’ve been holding onto. Write it down, pray about it, and ask God to take it from your hands.

• Memorize Scripture: Commit Psalm 46:1 to memory. Let its truth guide your thoughts and calm your heart.