One thing I’ve learned in both business and life is this: no one is irreplaceable.
Yes, your replacement may never be you—but when people are forced to choose between peace and chaos, they’ll choose peace. Every single time.
We see this lesson clearly in the story of Saul and David. Both were chosen by God to lead Israel, but only one remained in God’s favor.
Saul was appointed as Israel’s first king after the people cried out for a ruler. Even with a prophet like Samuel—a direct mouthpiece of God—the people wanted a human leader. Samuel was aging, and his sons were unjust and unfit to follow in his footsteps.
But Saul’s fall came not from a lack of calling, but from disobedience. When he chose not to wait for Samuel to return—and later refused to destroy the Amalekites as God commanded—his favor was revoked. His crown remained for a time, but his anointing had left him.
“But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.” — 1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT)
That man was David, a shepherd boy who would one day become king. Saul was still in place, but his replacement had already been anointed.
I remember my own Saul and David moment—and this time, I was Saul.
I was good at what I did. Celebrated, even. I’d survived company transitions and layoffs. I’d expected a promotion. I thought my faithfulness and favor guaranteed elevation.
But the position I was waiting for? It was never created.
And the responsibilities I eventually absorbed? I didn’t fully understand their significance. I was still married to the old way of doing things, not realizing that God had kept me in place to teach me something deeper.
“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18 (NLT)
I burned out. Not just mentally, but spiritually. The anointing I once had to operate in that space felt like it had lifted. I believe the seed of that burnout was planted the moment I overheard a conversation—a betrayal that broke my trust.
That moment birthed bitterness in me.
“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” — Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)
Suddenly, I couldn’t see my new responsibilities with fresh eyes. I responded underwhelmingly when asked about my new assignments. I was still viewing things through the lens of disappointment instead of discernment.
A year later, I found out one of the five Davids I had been training was set to replace me.
Yes, I was hurt. But I understood why. Somewhere along the way, I had unknowingly allowed the spirit of Saul to take root in my mind.
Looking back now, I believe God left me in that position longer than I expected not to punish me—but to show me His grace.
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Even when I was operating on fumes… even when I had grown bitter… even when I was blind to the shift happening around me… God was still teaching.
Sometimes, we confuse anointing with assignment. We think our past favor guarantees a future promotion. But when the grace to do a thing lifts, it’s not always a demotion—it may be divine redirection.
So if you’re in a season where things feel off…
If you’re holding onto a role God has already moved you out of in spirit…
If you’re training your David and don’t even realize it…
Let this be your reminder: You can be replaced.
But you are never discarded.
God still has a plan. And He still has a purpose for you.
© 2025, Lela Fagan. All rights reserved.
