Do you ever get discouraged? Feel like you can't go on? Feel weary in well doing?
For those in vocational ministry, this is most likely to happen on Monday morning.
Ever had one of those Mondays? You look back on the weekend and it causes you to question if you made the right decision to go into full-time ministry.
You are not alone. We all feel that way at times. Myself included.
In those times, look to God for support and encouragement. I love what it says about David. It was one of his most disheartening days in serving God. Everyone was turning against him and were even calling for his execution.
Look what happened...
"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."
Talk about a bad day.
But in that moment, God came close and David was able to find encouragement.
Isn't that just like God? Just when you need it the most...He shows up with encouragement.
Just when you need it the most...He tells you how much He loves you.
Just when you need it the most...He provides for your need.
Just when you need it the most...He tells you to keep going because He is with you.
Just when you need it the most...He answers your prayer.
Just when you need it the most...He sends reminders of His grace.
Just when you need it the most...He puts a new song in your heart.
My father had surgery a couple of weeks ago. The doctors found 14 places of cancer on his prostrate. He had to have his entire prostrate removed. It has been a tough recovery for my father and like anyone in pain, it's easy to get discouraged when you are waiting for your body to heal. I have been praying for my dad and asking God to send him gentle reminders that He is with him.
This past weekend, I spoke at a children's ministry conference in the Atlanta area. I was talking to one of the other speakers and as we talked, we realized we knew a lot of the same people. Then the amazing part happened. When I shared with him about my father being sick, he told me that he knew my father and that my dad had made a great impact in his life. In fact, the man shared with me that He had named one of his sons after my dad.
I knew in that moment that God was arranging a word of encouragement for my father. I grabbed my phone and FaceTimed my dad. I put the speaker on the video chat with my dad. He shared with my dad what an impact he had made in his life...even to the point where he named one of his sons after him. What an encouragement it was to my father.
Just when my dad needed it the most....God showed up with encouragement and reminded my dad that God still has much for him to do.
If you are reading this and you are thinking about quitting...don't. God is going to bring you just what you need...when you need it the most.