He had experienced a long, difficult week. Struggling to preach, his mind was tired, and his body was weak. By God’s grace he was giving it his all, but by the end of the service, his heart was weak and discouraged.
Discouragement comes in waves like low and high tides.
Discouragement attacks at weak moments.
Discouragement is the unwanted companion of most pastors.
As my wife and I have travelled here-and-yon the past six months, and I have spoken with many pastors on the phone, discouragement in the ministry is an ever-present temptation to which many succumb.
Pastor friend, one the most frequent causes of discouragement is unmet expectations. We set in our minds how the congregation should respond to the sermon, how many should attend the upcoming prayer breakfast, how much the missionary offering should be, who should be serving in Sunday School, etc. When the response does not match up to our expectations, we are prone to become discouraged and downhearted. We try to couch our discouragement around the fact that we are the leader, and we are heart-broken that folks are just not doing what they should be in following the Lord.
Soak your soul in the following. Don’t be in a hurry.
Psalm 62:5 – My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. (Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. CSB)
John 5:19 – Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way.
John 8:28 – So Jesus said, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
Pastor friend, . . .
- Who sets your expectations? If God, then He’s responsible for the means to carry out His expectations as well as being responsible for the outcome. You be faithful.
- Who do you look to for your next move/decision? Who initiates if? If God, then keep your gaze fixed on Him. When “the cloud moves,” you move. When “the cloud stays,” you stay. After all, like Jesus, you can do nothing of yourself!
Do you want to enjoy life and ministry? Don’t have any expectations.
Live each day surrendered to Christ in you, and let God set your agenda. He knows all the facts. He knows the field you’re plowing in. He is fully aware of every individual and situation in your family and church. He put you there. Let Him do His business even when it seems dry, dusty, and barren. He is always at work around us. Let it drive you to your knees in prayer and then fellowship with Him all day.
Get up every morning and open up your hands to Him and say, “Lord, you set my agenda today and at the end of the day, I will praise You for Who you are and what you have done!”
Pastor, no matter where you are in ministry today, may you confidently and perhaps “as you crawl out of your slough of despond” say, “My expectation comes only from the Lord.”
fromapastorsheart.com 