I’ve been there.
Ministry typically looks like a slap within the face, usually if you least anticipate it to occur.
A great pal turns in opposition to you.
Someone with extra authority decides that impacts you negatively.
One other chief misinterprets your actions and accuses you of flawed.
One harsh phrase from one other overshadows any good phrases you’ve heard the identical day.
Somebody you led to the Lord tells you he’s strolling away from his religion.
Typically doing God’s will nonetheless hurts.
What do you do when that occurs?
Take your ache to the Lord. The psalmist is useful to me right here when he expresses his grief to God, as in Psalm 31: “Be gracious to me, Lord, as a result of I’m in misery; my eyes are worn out from frustration—my entire being as nicely. Certainly, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my energy has failed due to my iniquity, and my bones waste away” (Psalm 31:9-10). It’s okay to cry out to God from a wounded soul.
Keep in mind your calling. I’m so grateful my name to evangelise was distinct and plain for me—a lot in order that I’ve by no means been in a position to shake it. I’ve wanted that readability greater than as soon as after I needed to run within the different path.
Push previous the unhealthy to see the great—search for the glimpses of God’s work in your life. Don’t let the present-tense ache trigger you to overlook the past-tense and present-tense proof of God’s grace towards you. Seeing only one good act of God can soften the ache of the unhealthy; a glimpse of God’s glory can go a good distance towards therapeutic.
Acknowledge that you simply’re working with sinners. In actual fact, you’re one, too. It’s normally the case that each of us nonetheless have room for progress, and neither of us is ideal. Many of us we shepherd have by no means actually been discipled, and they’re nonetheless childlike/egocentric. Sinful folks nonetheless act like sinners—however clinging to that fact might help you let go of the ache they trigger.
Notice that right this moment’s ache usually turns into tomorrow’s reminiscence. That’s, you could have skilled ache up to now that you simply thought would by no means go away—nevertheless it did. You felt such as you’d at all times be hurting, at all times be pissed off—however that didn’t occur. Someway, God introduced you thru it up to now—and He’ll do the identical right this moment.
Take into account confronting somebody if wanted, however do it prayerfully and lovingly. Don’t let another person’s actions result in your personal sin. Take your ache to God first (see #1 above), relaxation in His presence first, after which confront one other underneath the management of the Spirit. Mannequin Christlikeness in all of your ideas and actions. Even when others don’t at all times do the identical, it is advisable present them one thing totally different.
Belief the sovereign hand of God. As I look again over 44 years of ministry, I bear in mind plenty of occasions when the ache of main God’s folks was actual—together with some occasions when “dropping by the wayside” appeared to be a viable possibility. On the similar time, although, I merely can not recall any of these occasions when God didn’t use it to develop me in Christ. His objective was at all times, at all times, at all times larger than my ache. I simply wanted to keep in mind that fact within the second. Maybe you do, too.
As I’ve written these phrases, I’ve additionally prayed for any Church Solutions readers who is likely to be in the course of ache proper now. Know that you simply’re not alone.
Posted on March 13, 2025
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a number one knowledgeable in religious session, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the challenges ministry presents and works with Church Solutions to supply recommendation and counsel for church leaders. Extra from Chuck
