3 Truths When Ministry is Hard
Ministry, in any aspect, is hard. It can wear us thin and cause us to stay awake at night. Ministry takes planning, organizing, and time away from things we like. We see a need, we feel like we should fill it. Can I whisper a freeing truth in your ear? Every need is not a call. Just because you see a need, doesn’t mean you are called to fill it.
Tweet ThisBefore starting any new ministry, or if you are trying to let go of a ministry, kneel before God. Ask Him to give you wisdom.
Lord God, who appoints and calls, show me the need you would have me fill. I understand and acknowledge not every need is a call to service. Please guide my heart and my mind as I seek where best to go. Give me peace about my yes’s and no’s. Help me to discern Your will for my life. Amen.
My natural inclination is to pick the ministry I don’t like and say no to that. Just because a ministry is hard, doesn’t mean God wants something else for me.
In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul’s congregation in Corinth was facing the same dilemma. “We are afflicted in every way….perplexed….persecuted….struck down….our outer self is wasting away….” How do we keep going when ministry is hard?
1. We proclaim Christ. “For what we prolacim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake…..But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” I Cor. 4:5, 7
We don’t need worry about outcomes when we serve because ultimately, it’s about Jesus. If you feel like you are the only one who can do a ministry, you are missing the point. God can use anyone, and if you can’t do it – He will meet the need another way. He will and He has. I’ve seen it a hundred times. I’ve said no to something I thought no one would say yes to. Sure enough. God meet the need.
2. We are being restored, remembered, and redeemed. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perpelcted, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:8-9
We need to be reminded of this truth when the choices and circumstances get hard. The truth is we are being restored, remembered, and redeemed. The focus is not on suffering, but on hope! God is restoring, not crushing us. Although we were persecuted and struck down, we are remembered and redeemed.
3. We see the eternal, which is unseen. “So we do not lose heart…..as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen…..the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16, 18
Whether your ministry involves speaking to large crowds or a crowded kitchen, people are the center of your ministry. It is so easy to forget the unseen. As we copy pages from a coloring book, or prepare a lesson Saturday night, or give up a Friday night for a service project, we can see the invisible. We are doing eternity’s work.
“If I do my duty, not for duty’s sake, but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience the whole suburb grace of God is mine through Atonement.” – Oswald Chambers; June 15.
God’s grace is available when ministry is hard. Not because we “buck up” but because we look up. We remember God, and even though its hard, He is still working all of my circumstances for His glory and my good.
If you are struggling today, I’ve created a new One-Day Devotional entitled “What We Can’t See.” You can study four things we have, but can’t see. This knowledge can strengthen our hearts when ministry is hard. Download your own copy here.
Our fait
h in Christ is an amazing source of strength for our weary hearts. If you struggle with hope and finding peace for your daily life, let me encourage you to download my FREE e-book: Because of Faith. In it you will find encouragement to discover all we have in Christ! Download your own copy {{FREE}} here.
Time for Tuesday Talk Link-up!
Meet our hosts!! Follow along with each host on at least one social media.
Ruthie at Rear. Release. Regroup. | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Meghan at The Adventure Starts Here | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
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Sarah, you have shared a great truth here. Early in my Christian life, I found it extremely hard to say “no” to anything. I still don’t find it easy (at least not with a little guilt), but I’m much better at it. At some point you realize you can’t do it all and do any of it well.
And you’re right ministry can be hard, after all we’re dealing with other sinners like ourselves. I loved this quote, “God’s grace is available when ministry is hard. Not because we “buck up” but because we look up. ” That’s the key, isn’t it, relying on Him!
Thanks for hosting this week. I pray it’s a good one.
Blessings!
Thanks, Sarah, for linking up on Mondays @ Soul Survival.