Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dealing with Discouragement in Ministry

I already blogged about her here.  This has been going on for a while.  I have spent years supporting her trying to make sure her world does not collapse.  Despite all my efforts and all my tryings - I saw pieces shattered on the floor yesterday.  Her choices determined her reputation, the outcome of her actions.

I stand and wonder, "Have I done anything wrong?  What else could I have done?"

God is silent.

I think.  Hard.

And at that moment I do not understand what could have been different.

Another conversation with another person.  The entitlement and ungratefulness seeping through her comments.

Those two put together in one morning... and I am just so... angry... so frustrated and sad.

Everyone who's ever tried to witness to someone or disciple a new believer in Christ will eventually face DISCOURAGEMENT.

Discouragement - that desire to lower your hands, throw in the towel, exhale and... walk away... from it all...

Yes, from it all... from the good and the ugly.  Just be done with it.

But how can I?

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  
(Romans 10:14)

I am reminded why I am here.

And I try again.

2 comments:

Susi said...

I will be probably the person who should say this at last, but... be encourage by all the people who are moving forward through your discibleship. :)

Cassie said...

I met a guy this summer who said something that really hit me.

'We cannot 'save' anyone. It's Christ who has already saved us. And it's their responsibility to accept.'

It's our place to be an example, a witness, to plant the seed. Of course someone cannot fully or whole heartedly jump into things without an understanding. Obviously we get ourselves into things that we don't fully understand, but we don't have a thirst for it without first having a taste.

So don't get discouraged. Those seeds you are planting will sprout, keep believing it. And speak God's word over it, because that cannot return void.

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