Discouragement is a serious epidemic in ministry.

It’s so easy to get discouraged.
If it helps, the people in the Bible got discouraged here and there.

I know I get discouraged easily.
I know I get caught up in silly things, that in the long run of ministry, is not that important.
I know that I can make mountains out of molehills.

But for me, most of my discouragement comes because I am focused on the wrong thing.

I get discouraged because I worry about results.
I get discouraged because I worry about my self worth and my value to a ministry.

My focus is on the wrong things.

I have to constantly remind myself that it’s not about the end results.
It’s not about how many people come to an event.
It’s not about how this ministry will change someone’s life.
That kinda stuff is in God’s hands, not mine.

And it’s not about me.
It’s not about how important I am to a ministry.
It’s not about the impact that I am making in the lives of the people I work with and I serve.

And that’s the thing.
My main source of discouragement comes from focusing on me and what I can do, or more like what I am not doing/achieving.

So, constantly, I have to remind myself to not fix my heart on myself, but on Christ.
I have to remind myself to do my best with what I have.
The end result, place that in God’s hands, and do my best right here, right now.
My self worth? That’s not tied into what I produce or how many people I reach. My worth is in Christ and Christ alone.

So, my friends, do not get discouraged.
You may feel like you’re not doing much.
You may feel like you’re treading in deep waters with no help in sight.
You may feel like an utter failure.
You may feel like you’re completely alone.

But you’re not.
God is with us.
God is working with us.
God’s presence is in the ground that we walk on.
God is ahead of us, being our guide and light.
God is behind us, giving us the push or boost we may need.
God is walking next to us, listening to our words and hearts.
God is above us, watching our every step.
And, when we need it, God is beneath us, carrying us when we just feel like we can’t go any further.

We are where we are, because God has placed us there.
And God has placed us there because God knows what we are capable, even if we may not see it.
And God has faith in you. And God believes in you.
You are where you are, because God has the utmost faith and belief in you. Otherwise, God wouldn’t have called you there.
So take heart.
As God told Joshua, be strong and take courage!

Instead of focusing on ourselves, our situation, the people around us, the ministries happening in our church or not happening, let’s begin to focus on God.
Let us fix our hearts and our eyes on Christ.

Perhaps that can be a cure for the discouragement that you may be feeling right now.
I know it has been for me.
If God is with us, then what could stand against?
That has put a different perspective in my heart this morning.