Ministry harder than you expected it to be? You’re certainly not alone in that experience. I don’t know a single pastor who has taken on the job that hasn’t felt this keenly. It’s a feeling that goes all the way back to Apostle Paul:
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Cor 11:23-29)
So first of all, you’re not crazy. Secondly, you didn’t necessarily do something wrong. And thirdly, you’re not alone. As followers of Jesus, we are not promised a difficulty-free life. As leaders in the faith, we are not promised smooth or successful ministries. There will be hard times, and sometimes it will feel like we have failed.
A word of encouragement
Yet if we look carefully, we can see good come from those hard times. Most often, the good comes in the form of our own growing maturity as we endure challenges well and learn to lean on Jesus in the midst of them. Having grown through these challenges, we are all the more capable—and qualified—to lead others through their challenges as well.
Undergoing adversity well is the only real way to maturity, success, accomplishment… and even joy: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
During times of difficulty, lean on God—and lean on others. Find peers who can help support you through challenges. Seek out a coach, a therapist, or a spiritual director, with whom you can speak freely and confidentially. There’s really way no around difficulties; we have to go through them. But we don’t have to go through them alone.
Coaching
Dr. Bob Logan attributes Barnabas—son of encouragement—as his inspiration for coaching. Like Barnabas did for Paul and John Mark, an excellent coach comes alongside you to help you navigate hard times, maximize your growth, and help you live fully into your calling. If you would like to learn more about how coaching can help you move your vision a reality, email admin@loganleadership.com and set up a FREE 30-minute conversation with Dr.Bob.
Photo by Simon Migaj