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Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place—The Leader's Dilemma
Laura Balbo
September 04, 2025
Some days I want to quit!
Quit what, you may be wondering? Some days I want to quit the call, the assignment, the very season God has me in.
Some days I want to go back to a job instead of owning a business.
Yes, it’s a knee-jerk reaction to whatever is happening at that moment, and the moment I think that there is an equally loud voice that says - you can’t give up. This is what you are meant to do.
There’s a special kind of pressure that comes with leadership.
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you know what I mean.
You’ve been appointed to build something. To lead something. To carry an assignment God called you to.
But the moment you step into that calling, the pressure shows up:
People question you.
They misunderstand you.
They assume they could do it better.
They even accuse you of your motives.
And if you’re humble—if you actually fear the Lord—that criticism can cut deep.
“Who am I to do this?”
“Am I really the right one for this?”
“What if they’re right?”
These aren’t just doubts—they’re the very questions the enemy whispers when you're appointed by God, and the people around you can’t—or won’t—see it.
When the Called Are Criticized
King David knew this pressure intimately.
Psalm 4 isn’t just a poetic song—it’s the voice of a leader who in that season was anointed by God but questioned and even disrespected by men.
“You men, how long will my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love what is worthless and pursue lies?” — Psalm 4:2
David wasn’t just hurt by enemies—he was being undermined by people in his circle, men who once supported him but now questioned his calling.
He was God's appointed king, he was called, and yet they said:
“You're not it. You’re not worthy. This isn’t yours.”
In the middle of this, David didn’t panic. He didn’t try to argue or prove himself.
He anchored himself in his God-given identity:
“Adonai sets apart the godly for Himself.
Adonai will hear when I call to Him.” — Psalm 4:3
Appointed–and Covered
Here’s what we need to remember as leaders:
When God appoints you to an assignment, He also covers you.
That word "set apart" in verse 3 we just read means more than chosen—it means distinguished, marked, made room for.
In Psalm 4:1, David says:
“You gave me room when I was in distress…”
That Hebrew phrase literally means,
“You widened the space for me when things were tight.”
That’s covenant covering.
That’s the God of the Exodus–the God who makes a way where there is no way.
The original hearers of this psalm would immediately think of God splitting the Red Sea—how Israel was trapped between Egypt and the water. If you are familiar with the geography in that area you would also know that not only was the water on one side, and Egypt was on the other side, but there were literal rocky cliffs on either side of them. They were literally stuck in a narrow chute, with no way out.
But God made space in a tight place.
And here's the truth:
I’d rather be stuck between a rock and a hard place with God
than stand in wide open spaces without Him.
Why?
Because if I feel unworthy, unqualified, and unsure of how to move forward—but I know I’m where God placed me—I can trust that He will make a way.
The Real Danger? Thinking You Don’t Need God
The scariest place on earth isn’t being under-resourced.
It’s not having critics.
It’s not even failure.
The scariest place is when you start to believe:
“I deserve this.”
“I can handle this on my own.”
“I’m doing this in my own strength.”
Because when that happens, you’re no longer walking in alignment—you’re challenging the One who placed you. You have walked out from under God’s protection and provision.
I don’t know about you but that sounds like a really scary place to be.
David’s critics didn’t just reject him—they rejected God’s decision to put him there. That’s not just criticism. That’s rebellion.
And we have a choice:
Be like those who opposed David—stepping into our own strength and judgments.
Or be like David—anchoring in identity, declaring trust, and resting in God’s peace.
Sure, it looked like David’s critics had the upper hand, and that he was stuck—but David knew what they didn’t.
His Face > Everything Else
David doesn’t just ask for relief or vindication.
He says:
“Adonai, lift the light of Your face upon us.” — Psalm 4:6
So instead of asking for an escape or his enemies to be crushed, he said, “shine your face upon us.” It echoes the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:
“The Lord make His face shine upon you and give you peace.”
In Hebrew culture, the face of God shining on you means:
His presence
His favor
His peace
His nearness
David says:
“That’s what I want. Not power. Not public approval. Not even escape.
I want Your face. Your covering. Your peace.”
And that changes everything.
“You have put more joy in my heart than when grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Adonai, make me live securely.”
— Psalm 4:7–8
What This Means For You
If you’ve been called by God to lead, to build, to carry something—there will be seasons when people won’t understand it.
There will be critics.
There will be tight spaces.
You will be between a rock and a hard place.
You will feel the heat.
But that doesn’t mean you’re not chosen.
In fact, it might mean you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Your peace doesn’t come from people understanding your calling.
It comes from knowing who called you in the first place.
It comes from His face shining on you.
Remember in those times…
God makes space in tight places.
He provides joy in lean seasons.
He gives peace when things feel unsteady.
And He lets His face shine on those who seek Him.
So don’t strive to be seen.
Don’t fight to be proven.
Don’t fear when it feels like you're surrounded.
You’re covered.
You’re chosen.
You’re appointed.
And that’s enough.