Hello Ladies this is my first time posting so forgive me if I seem a little scrabbled (lol). I'm going through a little phase right now where Im feeling a little unfruitful spiritually in the ministry. I dont like feeling as though anything that I have done the Kingdom of God is in vain but at times lately that's how I've been feeling.
I received some awesome advice and encouragement earlier from another PW and I thank her so very much. Ladies keep me in your prayers and any advice is welcomed. God bless and thank you much.
Lady Sutton, Praying for you tonight as you sort through this. I understand. I want you to know we have all felt like this at times. I don't want to say any more than this til perhaps someone else responds...the ladies on this board have such insight, but sometimes when I respond right away, others don't...so...
LADIES....................what do you say? Give Lady Sutton some of your wisdom. I'll be back...
Hi, Lady Sutton: First, welcome to the board! I am so thankful that God has blessed me with friends on this board. The ladies are wonderful here & have been an encouragement to me for these last two years.
We do understand what you are going through. Unfortunately, I don't have wise words to share this morning. What God has shown me recently is that His ways are not my ways & that He will build our--His-- church in His time & in His way. We see the past & the now. We see this journey through the mountains & valleys that we've come through. We love the view from the mountaintop, but those valleys are tough. We are anxious to know the future, where this road is leading us. But for us, it is one step at a time, one day at a time. Thankfully, He knows the road before us & is making sure that road is "working together for our good," and not only for us but for "ALL who are called according to His purpose." The hard part is trusting that good is coming when you can't see it. This is when you have to stand on the promises: His Word will not return void. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans for hope & a future.
Well, I better get to work, but I'll be praying for you...
God's blessings are coming your way & l look forward to getting to know you better on these boards.
I feel that way a lot...at least once a month (sometimes more often depending, lol!!) I make a resolve to quit the ministry and go work at Burger King. I say BK because I pretty much hate their food, and I wouldn't be in danger of gaining weight there...
I have an amazing husband who reminds me when I'm in a "I'm completely useless and not spiritual enough to be a pastor" funk that even though I may feel that way, it is not reality. I force myself to remember triumphs...events that have gone well...watching kids' faces as they worship, especially those who have finally "gotten it" and aren't just raising their hands because I am. I think about kids whose lives I've spoken into who are serving God today. It's not easy, by any means - I am by nature a pessimist, and prefer to dwell on the gloom rather than "accentuating the positive."
But what gets me 100% of the time is asking myself, "And what else would I be happy doing?" Yup. You got me there. Ministry is in my blood. Even when I wasn't "in the ministry," I was.
If even at your lowest point, you can't imagine yourself being truly happy...feeling truly fulfilled, where the pieces actually feel like they fit together, then you're called. Period. God wants you to be doing what you do, and therefore, there is fruit - even when you can't see it!
In the book "Letters to a Young Writer," Emerson (I think it was him...or some other famous writer, lol!) says to his young protoge, "If, when you wake up in the morning, you can't think of doing anything but writing, then you're a writer." I think the same holds true for any passion or calling...so be encouraged - and keep on keeping on!
Have you ever preached or taught and afterwards several people come to you and way, "Wow! That was the greatest ever," and you are so excited....or have you preached or taught your heart out and eyes in the audience glaze over and you go home so bummed. Wellllllll!
Years ago, an evangelist said she has a "debrief" with the Lord following every time of ministry. People like you--"Lord, it's yours." People hate you--"Lord, it's yours."
That takes so much pressure off ME to perform. Whatever I do is in God's hands. It doesn't matter if I flub on a song, or forget where a certain Scripture verse is. God knows I'm powerless on my own; I know that, too.
First Lady, you are a blessing. I could see that in the words you wrote here.
Good things shared here. And Puppetmaster, love what you said with the quote from Emerson. Love it...
First lady - what everyone said here is so true. The Word says do not be weary in well doing for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we faint not. There are seasons of planting, watering, harvesting. I understand where you are at. Right now we're not in harvest season either and the planting and watering season can be so draining.
Just want to thank you Ladies, you've been great and I appreciate all of your input and advice. I love ministry and the call that is on my life and I have you know that I'm encouraged even the more. Once again thank you all, be encouraged and be blessed.
If we are led by our "feelings" .... who would stay in the ministry? And how long would we last? If we go by opinions of men (or women) alone .... we would all be in trouble because opinions are like noses: everyone has one and there's usually a couple of holes in them. The accuser of the brethern is always trying to tell us lies about ourselves (condemnation/guilt), lies about others ("they" don't like you; they're just using you, and so on.) He lies to others about us (misunderstandings, seeing some shortcoming , fault or inadeqacy in our life which satan plays on or magnifies).
It is sometimes easy to believe his accusations because all of us are imperfect and have limitaions which at times make us fail oneanother. But one thing I love about the Bible is that it tells of some of the great men/women of God who did great things but were imperfect...God didn't leave out their imperfections. If God did do that, how could we ever "relate" to them? We must learn to cover one another in prayer/love, communicate to one another; abide in a place of faithfulness and loyalty, working together; giving no place to the devil (Eph. 4:27); giving ourselves and others room to grow and space to breathe (Col 3:12-17) and being merciful . But we must also challenge eachother on in the Word of God because iron does sharpen iron!
So my advice would be : 1) realize that you have an enemy who is lying to you about yourself or others. 2) Agree with the adversary on a portion of the accusation that you can change or repent of. However, "eat the grape, spit out the seed". We must remain teachable, humble (Eph 4:28) but have discernment to see when it's just plain attacks to discourage us or keep us from our destiny! 3) Lastly, surround yourself with others who will hold you up in the place God has for you! Get their insights and feedback. If you are a speaker, listen or watch recordings and critique yourself so you can do better and feel more cofident. Keep contact here! And try to come to Pastor Deanna's conference. We are here for each other as we are pastoring partners. Blessings.
