It doesn’t take long into any new year for discouragement to visit the pastor’s heart. Excitement and freshness are soon replaced with anxiety, discouragement, and weariness. Those are normal feelings, not abnormal. You’re not a bad leader or a bad pastor just because you’re dealing with real visceral emotions. In times like these, it’s important to lean into the foundational core of who you are in Christ. This is a time for the truth to overcome the emotions. Here are six things to consider when you’re discouraged:
1. Remember God Loves you.
The greatest motive for serving God is love. You do what you do because of God’s great love for you. He doesn’t see you as a failure. He’s not mad at you. He has compassion for your humanity and understands far more than you or I the pains and setbacks of ministry. He loves you unconditionally, so let his love move you forward by faith.
2 Cor 5:14-15 (NLT) Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.
2. Remember Your Calling.
Discouragement loves to undermine the calling of God upon your life. God’s not finished with you. Refuse to allow the foundation of your ministry to be destroyed by your feelings. You are where you are by the will of God. He’s placed you there. He’s established you there. Stand firm in His grace.
2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3. Remember Discouragement isn’t Permanent.
As hard as it is right now, it won’t last. It will get better. Just like the last time discouragement came, it came and passed. God’s encouragement floods your heart, and the cloud starts to lift.
2 Cor 1:3-5 (NLT) All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
4. Remember Ministry is Hard Work.
One reason you’re discouraged could be that the work has been hard, very hard. But one solution to your discouragement can actually be the memory that the work is hard and will be hard. It’s labor. When we’re tired, we are prone to get discouraged. It’s hard work, and discouragement is part of the package.
1 Tim 3:1 (NKJV) This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
5. Remember God’s Victories Through You.
Even though it’s hard right now, God has used you in many ways and many lives. Look to some of the victories God has given you and through you. I have a file of ‘good’ letters and emails I like to review occasionally. Among them are stories of families restored, addictions removed, and changed lives. It’s a real boost in discouraging times to remember how God has used you in the past. Because He’s used you in the past, He’s going to use you in the future.
Phil 1:3-6 (NKJV) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
6. Remember to Reach Out For Help.
Even though your first instinct is to isolate yourself, please don’t. Reach out to someone. Text a pastor friend in town and go to coffee. Make a phone call and talk it out. Tell someone how you’re feeling and lean into the Lord by faith, through prayer, asking for help. Please. Do. It. Now.
Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV) A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
