Have you ever noticed how some people just are not with the program?  They seem to be more like dead weight than helpful weight bearers.  These people might be in your work place, on your sports team, in your class at school, in your family or at your church.

Our natural tendencies are to become frustrated with such people, to become angry with them and/or grumble about them. However, none of these responses are very healthy, nor are the helpful.  First, we would be wise to discern why the other person/people might be stagnant and/or paralyzed.  Then we can determine our best response toward him/her/them.

The apostle Paul gave us a great framing verse to help us understand people's situation and our responses.  This verse is worth studying and memorizing.  He encouraged the leaders of the church in Thessalonica to

"Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak and be patient with everyone."  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)  

Chances are everyone "sitting on their hands" around you is not doing so for the same reason. Some are being idle; they are being apathetic, lazy and spiritually dull.  They may or may not realize the seriousness of their situation and lack of action; they need to be warned.  Apathy, spiritual dullness and inactivity lead to spiritual death.  We need to warn each other in such times, and we must do what we can to stir each other up from such despondency.

Others may not be doing much of anything because they are afraid.  They may not feel they are ready for action, or they may be afraid of failure or making a fool of themselves.  These kind of people need to be given courage.  They need to be "pushed out of the nest" to do what they are afraid, yet able, to do.

Some people, however, are weak.  They don't know what to do, or they are not able to do what is necessary.  Such people don't need to be warned or pressed; this will not be helpful. Encouragement won't help them either.  They need to be resourced and helped.  When people are weak for whatever reason, passionate pleas, warnings and encouraging statements do not bring any real benefit.  They need to be shown how or what to do; they need to be equipped and helped.

The challenge of leadership is to rightly discern situations, and what is needed.  We must not get overly frustrated with others, but instead be patient and longsuffering with others, as Jesus is with all of us.  If people don't seem to be "with the program," take some time with them and choose your responses wisely.