Do You Want to Feed My Fish?”: Finding Peace in People and Prayer

Focus Scripture

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22

Thoughts

Today was hard. Not because the work wasn’t getting done. Not because I didn’t have a plan or strategy. It was hard because it involved people—and that’s always the heaviest kind of leadership. I make tough decisions on a daily basis but today was one of those days where no solution felt right. I said to myself, “I always have a solution… but I don’t have a solution for this.”

That’s when I did something I often encourage others to do…I sought wise counsel. I walked into the office of a trusted friend and simply said, “I need to talk.” He could see it on my face—frustration, concern, distress. And instead of jumping into problem-solving mode, he paused, smiled, and said:

“Do you want to feed my fish?”

I laughed. Not because the situation was funny, but because in that moment, I felt seen—human again. That simple act of kindness and humor broke through my stress. We talked, we prayed, and together, we made a decision. Yes, I fed the fish!!!

Leadership can feel lonely. Pressure builds. Emotions swell. But we were never meant to carry it all on our own. Proverbs reminds us that “plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Sometimes, God's answer to your situation isn’t immediate clarity, it’s a friend with a fish tank and a listening ear. It’s someone who helps you shift your perspective, see the problem in a new light, and walk with you toward peace.

Life Application

1. Don’t isolate yourself in leadership. Find people you trust and be vulnerable with them.

2. Look for God in the small moments. A laugh, a pause, or an unexpected question can be His way of breaking the tension.

3. Pray together. When decisions are heavy, prayer lifts the burden and centers our hearts in God’s will.

4. Be that person for someone else. Sometimes the best ministry you offer is simply being available… and maybe having a fish to feed.

Even when you don’t have a solution, God is faithful to provide the right people, the right moment, and the right peace. Sometimes it starts with: “Do you want to feed my fish?”

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for placing people in our lives who help carry the weight when our hearts are heavy. Thank You for wise friends, for laughter, and for the peace that comes from shared prayer. When we don’t have the answers, help us remember we don’t have to walk alone. May we be quick to seek counsel, slow to isolate, and always open to hearing Your voice—even in the most unexpected places.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.