Home Children's Ministry Leaders Articles for Children's Ministry Leaders Discouraged in Ministry? Here’s How to Get Your Joy Back

Discouraged in Ministry? Here’s How to Get Your Joy Back

He rested. Notice what verse 5 says…

“Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.”

Notice that God first ministered to Elijah’s physical needs. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap. Lack of sleep will catch up to you and lead to discouragement. Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. You may have to occasionally burn the midnight oil, but if you burn it every night without replenishing it, you will eventually have no oil left to burn.

He ate. Eating properly will help you fight off discouragement. Make sure you are eating healthy meals. What you put in your body affects how you feel.

And remember … the best rest is preventative rest. This means finding a pace that you can run on for the long haul. This means exercising. This means getting enough sleep. This means taking care of yourself physically.
  
Be honest with God and tell Him how you’re feeling. God asked Elijah this question in verse 9.

“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

And then He allowed Elijah to vent. Look what Elijah says in verse 10.

“Elijah replied, ‘I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too’.”

As a leader, when you’re discouraged, you must be selective in who you vent your frustrations to.  Your volunteers are not the ones you should vent to. Church members are not the ones you should vent to. If you must vent your frustrations, then talk with the person you report to. But first and foremost, you should vent to God. He’s always willing to listen to your cries of discouragement. When you’re discouraged, pour out your heart to Him.

Get in God’s presence. Notice what God told Elijah to do in verses 11-12.

“Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”

More than anything, Elijah needed a fresh encounter with God. And notice where it was found. It wasn’t in the big wind or the earthquake or the fire. It was in the gentle whisper of His still, small voice.

You see, the way to beat discouragement is not by rushing into another big event. The way to beat discouragement is not by attending another grandiose conference with ground-shaking music or fiery keynote speakers or breakout sessions with big ideas. The way to beat discouragement is not by trying to have another high attendance day.

The way to beat discouragement is by getting alone … like Elijah did … and in that solitude listen to the still, quiet voice of God. In God’s presence, you will find the joy you’ve lost. In God’s presence, your tank will be re-filled. In God’s presence, you will be encouraged. In God’s presence, you will find your nerves calming, your fears receding, your passion rekindled and your hope restored.

Remember your calling and stay focused on it. Notice what God tells Elijah to do in verse 15.

“Then the Lord said to him: ‘Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria’.”

God reminds Elijah of his calling and assignment as a prophet. He tells him to go and do one of the things prophets do … anoint the king.

When you get discouraged … when you get defeated … when you feel like quitting … go back to your calling. Remember why you starting doing this in the first place. You are doing this because God called you and you said “Yes.” It’s your purpose. It’s your destiny. It’s why you were put on this earth. God hasn’t changed His mind about you. Stay on assignment.

Get some help. Elijah felt like he was alone in ministry. Look what He told God in verse 10.

“I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

Do you ever feel that way? Do you feel like you’re carrying the entire weight of the ministry you lead? Do you feel like you’re constantly short on volunteers and no one wants to help you. Do you feel like you don’t have the support you need?

Feeling like that can quickly lead to discouragement. But look what God reminded Elijah of in verses 16-18.

“And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place … yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”