Get the app10 Scriptures To Help You Stick It Out In MinistrySample
I once received a picture frame from someone in our congregation with Hebrews 6:10 engraved on it. I kept it in my office for years and looked at it many times, but I never placed an actual picture in that frame. I left it empty for a reason.
When I would feel overworked, underappreciated, worn out, used, or disappointed, I would mentally place the person who caused those feelings in the frame, and remind myself that when people didn’t appreciate me, HE did. When others didn’t see how hard I worked, HE did. When someone forgot how much of myself I had poured into them, and walked away from me, I remembered that HE never forgot and that HE never walked away. When others didn’t seem to value me, HE always
valued me.
If I am honest I can say that that didn’t always work. There were times when the knowledge that God wouldn’t forget my work and labor of love wasn’t enough. Times when I longed for approval or appreciation from others or times I wanted to put a picture of the entire church in that frame. Even worse, there were times when I wanted to throw the frame across the room so I wouldn’t have to be reminded of it’s message. However, once I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I realized if my priority was right, and I was serving out of love for Christ, His was the only approval I needed.
In ministry life, you might get hurt. You might get tired. You might feel undervalued. You might feel like no one appreciates you. But God appreciates you. You might feel like you’re wasting your time, but God doesn’t. He sees every bit of time, energy and effort you put into your church. He doesn’t forget the tears you've cried, the frustration you’ve been through, or the hours you’ve invested in your ministry. And not only does He not forget, He sees how you serve as an expression of your love for Him. And I guarantee this: He values, loves and appreciates you more than you will ever know. Rest in that!
Has a lack of appreciation ever caused you to want to walk away from ministry? How does knowing that God won’t forget anything you do change your perspective?
By Liz Sarno
When I would feel overworked, underappreciated, worn out, used, or disappointed, I would mentally place the person who caused those feelings in the frame, and remind myself that when people didn’t appreciate me, HE did. When others didn’t see how hard I worked, HE did. When someone forgot how much of myself I had poured into them, and walked away from me, I remembered that HE never forgot and that HE never walked away. When others didn’t seem to value me, HE always
valued me.
If I am honest I can say that that didn’t always work. There were times when the knowledge that God wouldn’t forget my work and labor of love wasn’t enough. Times when I longed for approval or appreciation from others or times I wanted to put a picture of the entire church in that frame. Even worse, there were times when I wanted to throw the frame across the room so I wouldn’t have to be reminded of it’s message. However, once I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I realized if my priority was right, and I was serving out of love for Christ, His was the only approval I needed.
In ministry life, you might get hurt. You might get tired. You might feel undervalued. You might feel like no one appreciates you. But God appreciates you. You might feel like you’re wasting your time, but God doesn’t. He sees every bit of time, energy and effort you put into your church. He doesn’t forget the tears you've cried, the frustration you’ve been through, or the hours you’ve invested in your ministry. And not only does He not forget, He sees how you serve as an expression of your love for Him. And I guarantee this: He values, loves and appreciates you more than you will ever know. Rest in that!
Has a lack of appreciation ever caused you to want to walk away from ministry? How does knowing that God won’t forget anything you do change your perspective?
By Liz Sarno
Scripture
About this Plan
So you’ve been called into ministry. Ever wanted to give up because it’s just too challenging? Ever think you weren’t cut out for it? That somehow God must have made a mistake by choosing you? We know the feeling. In this 10-day plan, we will share struggles we’ve faced in various ministry roles and how God gave us His Word to stand on in the midst of crisis and pain.
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