Fatigued? Today is NOT the Day to Give Up!
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, October 17, 2005
- Viewed 130
- (35) comments so far
Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience. Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others--ignoring God!- harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith."
Some reading this today are close to quiting. Close to giving up. I would dare to say that most reading this right now have been at that point at some time in your ministry. Today at the blog, let's discuss the bad times in ministry; and how to get through them.
Today's questions for your input: What was your worst period in ministry? Did you think about quitting? How did you get through this valley experience?
I think we can all learn from each other's experiences. Take a few moments to share how God has worked in your life.
Have a great day!
Todd
This is from Eugene Peterson’s "The Message" from Galatians Chapter 6. If you’re feeling tired, weary, or ready to give up this Monday morning, this word is for you! “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
Comments
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Richard on Mon, October 17, 2005
I needed this. I am beat! Fending off church votes for my removal is getting wearisome. Power players in the church are killing me. I love what I do…I love pastoring but right now it is no fun. The church had a Pastor Appreciation Dinner for me and my family then got together to figure out how to get rid of me. Nothing theological or morally wrong. They just don’t think I make them feel good enough. I am ready to scream….I just am trusting that the reward for diligence is just around the corner.
Rev. Matt Yarbrough, Jr. on Mon, October 17, 2005
I have to say that the lowest point in my ministry was about a year ago when my pastor allowed three non-Christian education supporters to become a major part of the official board of our church. I and other members were devastated; I have worked tirelessly trying to bring everyone into the light of Christian Education. When this was done it felt like a slap in the face.
Tony McCollum on Mon, October 17, 2005
I have gone throught more than a few seasons where I wanted to quit in my 15+ years in the ministry. All I can say is never quit on Mondays and never quit rashly. Feelings come and go. Don’t base a life-changing decision on feelings.
It’s odd. Sometimes, you can feel like quiting because things are not going well and you’re sick of all the problems and problem people. Other times, you can feel like quiting because things are going too well and you don’t want to handle the responsibility, pressures and decisions. Neither of those things are good reasons to quit.
The bottom line, to me, is that if we are called to some work, we must stay in that place until otherwise directed by the Lord. Isn’t that what a call is all about?
Bryan Dellinger on Mon, October 17, 2005
I am facing the toughest days right now. I just resigned as the Worship Leader at our church last week. Being a new dad, full-time student, & trying to seek God’s will is getting me lately. My father-in-law is dying of cancer & my Dad just died 2 yrs. ago. For the last four years, I have truly turned my life over to God & am pursuing His will in everything I do. The problem I am having is that the more I seek Him, study His Word, and try to apply His truths…the more opposition I encounter. The bad thing is that the opposition comes from those inside the church, not outside of it. My wife & I have stepped out on faith…buying a sound system & keyboard, believing that God is leading us to more of an evangelism ministry. Today, as hard I have prayed, studied God’s Word, I honestly admit that I am discouraged. I can’t understand why those in leadership positions or even Christians, are the biggest stumbling blocks in my life. My heart is humble, my spirit is filled with humility, and I desire only to be a faithful servant of Christ. Yet, I am labeled a fanatic for wanting to stand on God’s Word and believe what it says. So, please pray that I will find a way to rejoice in this trial, see past the circumstances, and press on for God’s glory alone!
Fred on Mon, October 17, 2005
After 19 years of ministry at my current church we recently embarked on a major facility reconstruction program. Dealing with all the personal preferences surrounding colors, prioritizing what should be done first, and timetable for completion of the projects has left me “cold,” at times, about the attitudes of the church. And yes, as a leadership team, we did some things wrong; but it’s been frustrating to see the passion and energy expressed towards those issues of personal opinion while that same passion and energy has not been expressed in the area of evangelism and outreach. Praise God that He is still sovereign and Lord of all and I can find strength and comfort in Him.
Young Pastor on Mon, October 17, 2005
I’ve only been in ministry for a little over a year, and it’s tough to pinpoint times that I WOULDN’T call low points. I come from a church that has a reputation for killing pastors, and it didn’t take me long to find out the truth behind that reputation. The three things that get me through are
#1: I am the bread winner for myself and my new husband, so if I quit, we don’t eat.
#2: My teens - I recently inherited the youth group (I was hired to do music), and while I had to do major cutbacks in the program which caused a lot of uproar from the parents, my kids are wonderful, and I love them dearly. Dealing with my congregation is draining - being with my kids fills me with energy.
#3: My new senior pastor, who is the most encouraging and protective boss I could ever imagine. He makes it quite clear to me (and everyone else) all the time that I am doing with excellence EVERYTHING HE HAS ASKED ME TO DO, so the expectations and complaints of the congregation fall on HIM, not me. This has helped me to feel so much stronger day-to-day, and while the circumstances of this toxic church life haven’t changed, my ability to cope and my freedom to trust and thrive under the yoke GOD has placed on me (not the one the congregation is trying to place) is slowly growing.
Becky on Mon, October 17, 2005
I am the children’s minister of a church of about 400. Eighten months ago our pastor of 12 years had an affair with the associate pastor’s wife. God spaired our church from destruction, but we have been without stable leadership for all this time. On top of the deep sense of personal loss and vision for our church, my job has been to remain stable for our congregation and the children and to continue on in the ministry God has given me. Satan continues to attack on a weekly basis in one area or another. I have told God I am ready to move on whenever He has something else for me to do, but He continues to have me remain in my current position. I am spirtually exhausted and people in my church are seeing it now.
Becky on Mon, October 17, 2005
I am the children’s minister of a church of about 400. Eighten months ago our pastor of 12 years had an affair with the associate pastor’s wife. God spaired our church from destruction, but we have been without stable leadership for all this time. On top of the deep sense of personal loss and vision for our church, my job has been to remain stable for our congregation and the children and to continue on in the ministry God has given me. Satan continues to attack on a weekly basis in one area or another. I have told God I am ready to move on whenever He has something else for me to do, but He continues to have me remain in my current position. I am spirtually exhausted and people in my church are seeing it now.
Pastor Mark on Mon, October 17, 2005
I have been ready to quite several times, mostly do to the reason people come and ask questions about what they should do about situations in their lifes. When I give them Biblical advice. They don’t act on it. As well as the times I have been trying to get a physical church for ministry, but I keep getting turned down. I am licensed and ordained. But no one is looking.
I have been to the Lord in both instances and He has said be patient, in time.
I think what we need to do is just that when we are ready to give up it is the time we are closest to the answer.
Tired but not quitting on Mon, October 17, 2005
Having served in the same church for some 10 years now, I have had times that were low points- anyone would. I must say though the last 18 months have been the toughest. To go from you highest point in ministry to your lowest is really tough. To see your ministry grow from under 100 to high days of thousands and then watch it crumble heading back to where it started is enough to make anyone discouraged- especially when your working harder than ever before to keep it from sinking.
Have I wanted to quit? YES! Is it tempting when you have other churches calling nearly every week? YES! Is there a group of people that need who I am and the ministry that I offer? YES!
It is a funny thing, last night I counted up how many openings I have for workers in my one area of ministry and realized again that I have nearly 70 positions that need to be filled. That doesn’t count the person that filled a major leadership position that I had to remove 2 days ago. Do I feel stretched beyond belief and overloaded? YES!
In closing, let me share a passage God gave me to encourage me. Acts 7 talks about how Moses supposed that his bretheren would understand what he had done, they didn’t. This is the Reality of diappointment. Why didn’t Moses understand? He took his eyes off the Lord- The Reason for disappointment.
Look a little further down though and you find the Remedy for Moses and his disaapointment- He had a burning bush experience.
For those of us who are close to quitting….we need to get our own burning bush experience and draw closer to the Lord than we have ever done before! DON’T QUIT!!
Pete King on Mon, October 17, 2005
What timing. Whether you are at the prime of minstry, in the land of milk and honey enjoying the blessings of God, or simply wondering around the desert waiting for quail or manah to feed your need you cringe at this topic. The pain and frustration can flood back giving way to tears when you least expect it. I think the only thing worse than going through a dry spell is being surrounded by churches that are dead and dry too. You know you’re in the desert when you travel an hour and a half one way to find a church with water. These times are what try men’s souls. We must be strong never giving up. Then we must continue to pray, read, and wait for an opening. Timing is everything. God knows our next step and can lead us to it instantly if need be but as Todd so plainly stated,
“We will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit”.
I speak not from on top of the mountain but as a man looking straight at it. I too am in the desert trying to find water. That’s why the desert/mountain anology really works here. We must climb to the top of the mountain to get to the water. You see, the rain clouds hit the top of the mountain releasing the rain and leaving nothing for things trying to survive on the back side. We must climb our mountain in order to get our victory and to be revived with life again. The good news about being in the desert there is plenty of things that can survive that environment which can sustain us until we climb the mountain. God’s word, Prayer, and our Faith in what He has already done in our lives will always serve to remind us that if we can hold on until God says “climb the mountain”. We will flourish once again. I have no choice but to believe what He says He will do. That’s the Christian walk. If there was another way to do it then we wouldn’t need God to get through it. Be encouraged. God bless.
Kevin Jenkins on Mon, October 17, 2005
You know what…? I was going to post my story about the difficulties of starting a new non-denominational church in a small town but after reading the other posts I feel like I’ve got no room whatsoever to complain to God about how things are going…and certainly no justification to quit.
I’m blessed! I’ve got a wonderful wife, a house to live in, four healthy children who are doing well and my parents (both in their 80s) are alive and doing great.
Some of the comments I’ve read reminds me of Ghandi’s famous quote, “I’d be a Christian if it weren’t for other Christians.”
It is indeed a shame that my toughest struggles in life have often been due to self-centered, egotistical pastors and obstinate, un-loving church members. I guess that reminds us who we’ve got to keep our eyes on, doesn’t it?
Pastor Derek on Mon, October 17, 2005
I needed this encouragement to “not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”
I am pastoring a non-denominational church in a rual Southern town and my fatigue is setting in due to ministry failures and set backs. I have been leading this church for over a year after serving for 5 years as the youth and associate pastor. People have been leaving. My creativity is often criticized. New ministries are not taking off…and evangelistic endevours fail to attract the unchurched.
All along, I am a midwest, city boy in a rural Southern community where I feel like I do not fit. Health problems with myself and my wife have also caused stress, while we continue to serve the Lord.
Bottom line: God wants us here so that we learn to depend on him. I don’t know if I am there yet.
JCE on Mon, October 17, 2005
Seven years ago I was pastoring a Church in a Midwest city known to many as the belt buckle of the Bible Belt. I had planted a Church in the city a few years earlier and then merged with another fellowship wanting me as their pastor. In the joining of the two bodies I made a very foolish mistake by accepting the existing elders of the other body without question, and did not research their history for patterns of conflict or division. We DO reap what we sew friends!
The result of my “unconditional acceptance” brought about the single greatest horror of my life and ministry! At the same time I must say that it also brought about the greatest brokenness and growth in my life and future ministry as well! God is good and faithful all the time even though we are not!
What I had crawled into bed with was a Church controlled by a few power hungry men bent on maintaining their lily white country club environment and community-wide influence “at all cost!”
I, on the other hand (and the elders who came with me into the merger), was a very multi-cultural, servant oriented and discipleship focused Kingdom of God centered leader. I’m sure you can imagine the inevitable conflict arising out of such a partnership.
Well, it certainly got ugly, and it seemed that the more open, vulnerable, repentant and merciful I became, the greater the attack and venimous evil that came against my person, my leadership and my family.
By the time the dust settled over this battlefied the casualties were too numerous to count.
We had to bury the Church completely. We gave our $3.5M property to a Christian School. I was personally sued by the offending elders (a court battle in which I refused to participate but was completely vindicated of any wrong doing). My wife of 25 years was so devastated that she walked away from the Lord, the ministry and me.
Did I do everything righteously in that whole ordeal? Absolutely NOT! Did I make some bad choices and decisions? You bet I did? Was this entirely a battle where I was the “man of God” suffering in following after Jesus? I wish I could believe that to be the truth, and I’ve come a long way in that direction. But I know the anger and even hatred that entered my heart at the time. I remember not being able to pray for these men anymore and even losing sight of them as my brothers all together. I will never be able to forget the darkness in my own heart that wanted to abandon my trust in the Lord as my defender and enter the flesh and blood battle they were waging.
Above all else, I will never forget the indescribable pain, darkness and vacuum that entered my life, the day my wife left and I disqualified myself from continuing in my calling as a Pastor!
These are all “SCARS” that will be in and with me for the rest of my life! They will NEVER GO AWAY!
But here is the good news my friends and fellow servants of the Lord:
I am more grateful for these scars, the experience the represent, and my God having counted me worthy to fellowship in the sufferings of Christ, than any words will ever be able to describe.
Why is that? Because I am healed! Because He is faithful and will continue to prefect that which He has begun in us! Because He knew the increase of power that would come upon my life in His Holy Spirit as a direct result of this valley of death experience!
The keys for all of us when we enter these times: is to embrace His judgment for it is there that we find His mercy; embrace the process of transformation that comes in our dying, the burial of our hopes and dreams, and the newness of life, freedom and power provided in our restoration and resurrection! And be sure…BE SURE…to recognize those who do not abandon us in the time of such trial.
I was blessed to have a brother who truly knew my heart and loved me enough to not sit back and let me waste away in pain and bitterness. He gave me a few years actually to grieve, hide in my cave, and wear a big ring around my butt from sitting on my pitty pot. But then, led by the Spirit of the Lord, he confronted me!
“Jim”, he said, “The call upon your life is without repentance on Father’s part! He has not disqualified you…you have done that to yourself! To the very best of your ability and with the measure of faith you had, you gave everything in an attempt to be found faitful as His servant. God knows this, I know it, everyone involved who has any spiritual discernment knows it, and somewhere deep in your heart where His Truth resides, you have to know it yourself! So, Bro., if you don’t get off your tail and get back into what he has called you to be and do, I’m going to personally kick it for you!”
Well, I know that sounds crass and less than spiritual, but it was the “Word of God” for me and it divided between my soul and spirit and accomplished exactly what Father intended.
Today, I am blessed with the most wonderful wife I could ever have dreamed of. We have so deeply bonded in marriage and Him that He is beginning to bring forth new Vision for ministry arising directly out of our relationship. I am returning to my calling…but I return with a deeper resolve, a farther reaching love, a regenerated and relentless zeal, a freedom from ambition or the desire to please man rather than God, an ever increasing passion and intimacy in relationship with Him, and a doubtless understanding and discernment of the Body of Christ and my place, gift and role in the process of her maturing!
Sure, I walk with a spiritual limp today, and my life is covered with scars…but…SCARS my friends…are not WOUNDS!! They are the evidence of wounds that have been HEALED!
You see, wounds disqualify us from ministry…but scars…qualify us for ministry!
So, find HIM in the process and embrace whatever HE IS DOING!!
Russ Monroe on Mon, October 17, 2005
Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING, through prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God; and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philipians 5:6,7
Have you been betrayed? study the life of Joseph. Have you been attacked from every side? study the life of Job. Have you been ready to give up because you felt alone? study the life of Elijah. Have you made a mess of your life and shrunk away from opposition like a coward? study the life of Gideon. Have you felt like God has abandoned you? study the last week before Jesus crucifixion. Etc. etc. etc…
Our answers are in God’s Word. Not anything our eyes see or ears hear, will rejuvinate us like His Word and His Spirit. It is false hope/faith to rely on anything/one else. Every story listed above, ends with victory and fulfillment of God’s promises. Yes, we all gte tempted to give up, but it IS SIN to do so, hence the reason it is a temptation.
Don’t give up on your church, your pastor, your board, your leadership, your ministry, your spouse, etc. God is not so far away that He can’t hear our prayers and respond. Let’s all try faith on, instead of allowing discouragement and disappointment to clothe us.
My circumstances are just as bad, if not worse than anyone’s here, who’s to say? But, Jesus went through far more opposition, because he loved us. Shouldn’t we have our hearts set on doing the same for our churches? Or do you think God sits around criticizing them like many of us have done in our hearts? NO! He is passionate for His people.
Let’s face it… much of our discouragement is from selfish views about our circumstances. ME-centered perspectives, about how I feel, and how I should be treated, and what I think should happen. IF, and I mean IF, you are the Spirit-led leaders that you say you are and present yourself to be in front of others by continuing to function in leadership positions you hold, THAN BE LED BY THE SPIRIT! and His view of your circumstances, not by your limited flesh-eyes. Otherwise, the simple truth is, YOU will be spiritually blind… becoming a blind guide. So ask yourself this question, “Am I being 100% Spirit-led?” If your answer is no. It is time to stop trying to fix everything else and first fix that.
Finally, Zechariah 4 says… “not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit!”.
THIS, is the foundational answer to every question we have about “change”, whether it change concerning self, others, or our circumstances. Your strength and strategies will accomplish NOTHING! ONLY the Holy Spirit can lead us to a fruitful life and ministry, free from the chains of discouragement.
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