Dealing with Discouragement
It is real! It is powerful! It is deadly! It is called discouragement!
This is something that I believe every person in ministry goes through. Discouragement comes to all of us, but the source of discouragement may vary. Elijah, the great prophet of God, was so discouraged that he wanted to die.
In our ministry, people have been the greatest cause of discouragement to us. People are the reason that we got into full time ministry. It was our heart to help people and to point them to a relationship with Jesus. It is these same people that can tear your heart out and cause you to be discouraged. Isn’t it ironic that people are the reason that we entered the ministry, yet people are the reason that we contemplate quitting the ministry!
Discouragement may come from a person who you’ve invested months and years into and love with all your heart. They become upset and leave the church without even saying goodbye. It might be one of your own church staff who becomes bitter and disgruntled. When they leave, they try to take half the church with them. Regardless of the story and circumstance, it takes a toll on your emotional stamina and can cause a spirit of discouragement.
How do we survive these terrible discouraging times?
- Pray – cry out to God!
This sounds simplistic, but there have been days that I just lie over my bed and cry out to God with a broken heart, and He has always been there, and spoken peace to my soul. The circumstance may not change, but my attitude has.
Psalm 27:13-14
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 34:17-19
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the contrite of spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.
- Take time to relax.
This sounds impossible with all that you must accomplish in a day, but it is so helpful. Many times just relaxing will help stabilize your emotional and mental attitude. This is exactly what Elijah did. He ate and slept! Try going for a walk while listening to music. Breathe in the fresh air and look at the beauty of God’s creation, or you can simply sit outside and do nothing…just relax.
- Focus on the positive.
Try to mentally think back to positive experiences and people that have experienced heart change in your ministry. I’ve often written those things down to remind me of the blessings when I am discouraged. Also, God seems to have a person send an encouraging text or email at just the right time. But if that does not happen, you must find encouragement from within.
- Don’t quit!
Tomorrow is a new day! The sun may seem to shine brighter the next day, and your mental attitude may be totally different. What a difference a day can make!
I understand discouragement. I’ve been in ministry since I was a child and have been a pastor’s wife for over 35 years! I am here to have a listening ear and a caring heart. I’m just an email, text, or call away. You don’t have to carry this burden alone. That is why we have chosen this ministry. We want to help you in those times of discouragement. I may not know you yet, but I would love to meet you so that I can be there for you and pray for you and for your ministry!