Discouragement does not hide its face in ministry. It is a force by which all of our best intentions can fall to the wayside. By stifling both motivation and the ability to be joyful in serving, it cripples our ability to actually serve. We often pin our own discouragement onto “tangible” causes: the leadership in our church, the congregation, the sound equipment, those who serve with us, etc. We are too easily deterred. Step back with me and see that the source of our demotivation is ultimately our selves. Are we too committed to our own selfish ambitions to see that we are not our own? Or do we lack faith in the sufficiency of God? Ultimately, our discouragement spurs from two sources: pride and faith.
Pride
In leadership, it is easy to develop our own definitions of success and failure. Success is quickly chalked up to our own skill and commitment to ministry while failure is considered the product of our unpreparedness or lack of skill. When we view failure in this way, avoiding discouragement is impossible. In reality, no skill, attribute, shortcoming, or success should define us. When we allow ourselves to be humbled by the opportunity serve the kingdom of God, all things fall into perspective. Immediately, success becomes His, talent becomes His, growth becomes His, motivation comes from His grace, and discouragement is overshadowed by faith in His sovereignty. Seek the will of God above all things and combat pride with thankfulness.
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” –Phillipians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Faith
When we serve the kingdom of God with humility and dedication to His will in place of our own, failure to see His blessings can be the ultimate discouragement. Have faith that the will of God is greater than our own. Have faith that God is sovereign over all of our shortcomings. Have faith that God provides for his people. Have faith that God loves His church. Rest in His promises and continue to build His kingdom.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”” –Isaiah 55:8-12 (ESV)