No More Excuses

Starve or Shepherd

You can’t claim to lead your home in Christ and then stay silent when your family needs a shepherd.

Are you leading your family or just living in the same house as them?

Men, it’s time to stop playing the victim, stop blaming your past, and stop making excuses. Today, I want to speak to every man who says he follows Jesus, but still clings to control, pride, and passivity. I want to speak to the man who is tired of doing just enough to survive, but not enough to lead.

God’s Word for Today

Matthew 6:33 (NIV), “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

I’ve been there. I was broke. I had no food. I had no job. I had just gone through a divorce that left me ashamed and stripped of everything. I didn’t want help. Didn’t want to ask. Pride kept me from seeking, and shame kept me from trusting. But God wasn’t done with me. And He’s not done with you either.

There was a Thanksgiving morning when I had nothing. Not even a can in the cupboard. And it was my turn to have the kids. That morning, God sent someone to my door with seven bags of groceries and a full turkey. He didn’t let me starve, and He didn’t let my children go hungry. He made a way when I had no way.

Listen, brother, we spend so much time trying to prove we’re strong by holding it all together. But Biblical strength is not about control. It’s about surrender. You want to be a man of God? Then die to the pride that says, “I got this,” and fall on your knees before the only One who does.

Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” That’s not poetry, that’s a command. And a promise.

God isn’t looking for men who know all the answers. He’s looking for men who walk into His presence with nothing but faith, love, and a willingness to follow.

Your family doesn’t need a perfect man. They need a shepherd. A man who leads with truth, prays with conviction, and loves with action. A man who walks in God’s Word even when no one is watching. A man who provides peace in the home, because his trust is in Jesus, not in a paycheck.

If you’re too proud to pray out loud in your home, you’re too proud to lead it.

If you’re waiting until you have it all together before you take the first step, you’ll be waiting until the day you die.

Your wife is watching. Your children are watching. Most of all, your Shepherd is watching. He is not silent. He is not distant. He’s just waiting for you to drop the act and draw near.

Interceding for your family means you stand between them and the world. Not just praying for what you want, but praying in agreement with what God wants. That means laying down your feelings, preferences, and ideas—and picking up His will. Even if it costs you. Especially if it costs you.

Your feelings are not the Holy Spirit. Don’t confuse sympathy with surrender.

You were never called to lead from your emotions. You were called to lead from obedience. From sacrifice. From quiet, unwavering strength.

So stop begging God to bless the parts of your life you refuse to surrender.

He isn’t going to bless your pride.

He isn’t going to bless your silence.

He isn’t going to bless your passivity.

But He will bless the broken, surrendered heart of a man who leads his family by faith. The man who wakes up early to pray. Who shows up even when he’s tired. Who serves without applause. Who gives thanks when there’s nothing in the cupboard.

Brother, God is not asking for perfection. He’s asking for participation. Faithfulness. Surrender. And He promises, if you seek first His kingdom, He will provide. Not always what you want, but always what you need.

The enemy wants you weak, passive, and distracted. Jesus wants you bold, surrendered, and unshakable.

Choose today.

Choose to lead.

Choose to trust.

Because starving men still eat. And God still provides.

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value is Trust in God’s Provision

A shepherd leader doesn’t hoard control, he surrenders it, believing God will meet every need in His perfect timing.

Reflect / Apply / Share

1. Reflect – Are there areas of your life or leadership where pride is keeping you from trusting God fully?
2. Apply – What is one bold step you can take today to spiritually lead your family, even if it feels uncomfortable?
3. Share – Who do you know that needs to hear this message and be reminded that God still provides?

Bible References (NIV)

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

Personal Prayer

God, break down every wall of pride and fear in me. I surrender my control and ask You to teach me to lead with bold, steady trust in Your goodness.

These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.
If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.
To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

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