Everyone struggles in ministry at some point. In fact, it has been said that if you’re not struggling, then you aren’t doing anything of value. When you spend so much time giving to others, you have to find a way to recharge or you’ll be depleted. Here are some practical tips for dealing with those struggles when you have a full-time ministry.
Find a Mentor
Often what you need is someone to help you understand the issues you are going through and to either direct you or encourage you. Find someone who is also involved in ministry with a longer history that you can get to know. While you can ask for a formal mentorship, you can also just become friends and lift each other up in prayer.
Develop a Prayer Team
Read any good book from history about missionaries and others involved in ministry and you will see that they were backed by a lot of prayer. Find a few friends who are strong prayer warriors and ask them to be part of a prayer team for your ministry. When you need prayer for any reason, you can call one of them and they will pass the message on to everyone else in the team. Having multiple people interceding on your behalf can strengthen you and help you move mountains in your ministry.
Take Time Away
Don’t be afraid to ask for a break. Remember that even Jesus took time away from His ministry to rest and spend time with His Father. Plan an afternoon off from your ministry to relax and be in prayer. If you need more of a break, ask someone who works in your ministry to take care of things for a day or two.
Take a Step Back
If your struggles are more about problems in the ministry than emotional or mental issues, take a step back and review your ministry. Go to someone you trust and ask their advice. It might be that you need to make some changes in your ministry and you are too close to it to see what is needed. Re-evaluate what God has called you to do. He may be leading you in a different direction or want you to focus on a specific area in your ministry.
While these tips focus on dealing with struggles in full-time ministry, they can also be adapted for those who work in part-time ministry. When you are balancing family, career and ministry, you also face numerous struggles and challenges. You can feel lost, confused, exhausted mentally and physically, and you may need help dealing with all of your responsibilities. If you have other suggestions on how to deal with struggles in ministry, please share them in the comments.
