There's Hope For TodaySample

I know why Paul told Timothy to keep his head in all situations: Because he was going into the people business, and the people business will stretch you to the breaking point.

Timothy was going to face cantankerous deacons, contentious women, squabbling saints, shameless gossips, pompous preachers, emotional pygmies, God robbers, arrogant teachers; and that’s just the Sunday morning crowd. Timothy would know the sting of slander, the disappointment of abandonment, the loneliness of leadership, the paralysis of insecurity, the wounds of criticism, and the unreal demands of unreasonable people.

Paul wanted Timothy to bear the good fruit of self-control. “Keep your head, Timothy!” he pleaded. Shepherds aren’t supposed to bite the sheep, even when the sheep act like wolverines. We could all take a lesson from Paul. We are far too easily provoked, in and out of the church. We react rather than respond. We take vengeance rather than wait on God (Romans 12:19). We disqualify ourselves from ministry in thoughtless moments of frustration.

For the steady laborer there is always a harvest, so long as he works in the fields and stays out of the mud.