There’s a tension every purpose-driven leader must navigate—between seeking wisdom from others and listening to the still, quiet voice of the Lord. It’s always wise to pursue counsel, but not all advice is meant to chart our course—some is meant to send us back to God for confirmation.
I’ve had two defining experiences where I reached out to business leaders I respected—people with impressive credentials, platforms, and influence. I looked up to them, believing they could speak wisdom into what I felt the Lord was calling me to do.
The first moment came when I was contemplating writing a book. I asked a leader I admired at a lunch one day, “Do you think it would actually help anyone if I wrote a book like this?” It was a vulnerable question—one that came from a sincere place of wanting to be impactful, not self-promoting. Their response was lukewarm at best. With a scrunch of their nose and a hesitant tone, they questioned whether my story was worth telling at all, subtly brushing it off as an unnecessary time waster. I left that conversation feeling deflated and doubtful—not just of the idea, but of myself. I felt like something that had once carried divine inspiration now felt… foolish.
The second scenario came during a pivotal time when I was clarifying the vision for my business. I sat down with another professional in my field, someone with more certifications and traditional credentials than me. I shared that I was serving clients all over the country and wanted to express that in my vision statement. Her response? She told me, quite bluntly, “Your business isn’t nationwide, you’re just a small firm here in Mississippi.” It caught me off guard because I was already working with clients in multiple states. The limitation she placed on my work didn’t match the reality—or the vision God had planted in me. But for a moment, I questioned if I was dreaming too big.
In both situations, the discouragement came not from strangers, but from respected voices I admired. And while I genuinely believe they didn’t intend harm, the impact was real. Their words stung. They seeded doubt in moments when I needed faith, clarity, and encouragement.
But here’s the truth: those moments didn’t stop me.
They shaped me.
They became turning points—moments that challenged me to search deeper into what I knew God was speaking over my life, and not just what others thought were reasonable or appropriate for me.
It’s worth noting-I wasn’t without support. I had others in my life who were encouraging me and walking with me through that season. These two voices stood out because I had chosen to run these specific ideas by only a handful of people, and their responses carried more weight than they should have. It took me three years to label my business and national and it took me 5 years to write that book.
As I think back on these moments, I’m reminded of the story of David and his older brother Eliab in 1 Samuel 17. Before David ever stepped onto the battlefield to face Goliath, he faced something just as familiar to many of us—discouragement from someone he likely looked up to.
When David began asking questions about Goliath, stirred with boldness and vision, Eliab shut him down. He questioned David’s motives, minimized his role, and essentially told him he didn’t belong there. David could’ve internalized that criticism. He could’ve let Eliab’s doubt take him out of the story right there.
But he didn’t.
David kept moving forward—not out of arrogance, but out of conviction. He knew what God had stirred in him, and he didn’t let the voice of someone in the camp silence the calling God had placed on his life.
That’s what I had to learn, too. Sometimes, the voices we admire aren’t able to see what God is doing in us. And that’s okay. Their words may sting, but they don’t get the final say. Like David, we’re called to keep going—not because everyone agrees, but because we know Who sent us.
The Leadership Lesson
If you’re in a season where you’re seeking advice, because we all need it, here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Not all advice is right—even if it’s from someone you admire
Wisdom doesn’t always come from the loudest or most credentialed voices. Some advice, though well-intended, is filtered through someone else’s fears, limitations, or worldview. Learn to separate the advice from the person—and weigh both against the calling God placed on your life.
2. Filter advice through peace and prayer
Before you internalize someone’s perspective, ask: Does this advice align with the peace I had before the conversation? Does it affirm what God has already shown me? If it disrupts your spirit, it may not be for you.
3. Don’t let credentials intimidate your calling
Certifications and achievements are valuable—but they aren’t a substitute for calling or passion. Just because someone has letters behind their name doesn’t mean they understand the assignment on YOUR life.
4. Be mindful of whose voice you let speak into your vision
Some people will only speak to the version of you they understand—not the future your God is shaping. Be selective with who you allow into the inner circle of your dreams. As a personal practice, I try not to make significant decisions based on one person’s opinion alone. I typically seek input from at least three trusted voices in my circle.
5. Honor the person, release the advice
You don’t have to demonize people who give you poor or discouraging advice. Honor them, but don’t be bound by their perspective. Maturity means knowing when to respectfully let go of a word that doesn’t align with God’s truth for your life.
6. Keep going—even if others don’t see it yet
Not everyone will champion you, especially at the start. But visionaries are often misunderstood. Keep walking. Keep building. Keep trusting. The fruit will speak for itself in time.
Final Thought:
These two conversations, painful as they were, became gifts. They reminded me to seek God’s voice above all others, to weigh advice carefully, and to lead from conviction, not consensus.
So, if you’ve ever been discouraged by someone you looked up to, let this be your reminder: You don’t need everyone to understand you’re calling to walk in it boldly.
Keep going because God made you for such a time as this.
Hope Blankenship 