Dear one, just because God has spoken to you doesn’t mean things cannot happen to you. We live in an evil age (see Galatians 1:4), where the devil, who is the god of this world (see 2 Corinthians 4:4), does not like believers in Christ to thrive in their various callings peacefully. So, embrace persecution as part of your faith journey. But don’t give up despite the setbacks you face.
Dear preacher, sometimes, only God can give you a safety assurance in preaching the gospel where He has sent you. While you may have ministry friends who can suggest that you leave a place after suffering setbacks, always let your final decision be based on what God told you.
You need more inner strength than you think to withstand evil days. If you have that, you’ll be able to go through terrible issues people face without breaking down as people do.
Like Joseph, who endured suffering before he was divinely exalted, those who remain steadfast will see God’s faithfulness. Lean on His grace, for it is sufficient. In the end, the sweet aftertaste of enduring love far outweighs the bitterness of temporary struggles. Keep loving Jesus; your perseverance will not go unrewarded.
When you trust something or somebody to do something for you, and things mess up, that is when your patience will be subjected to a test. Why? Because things may not go as fast as you want them to, and you’ll be forced to go and pray as you wear the cloak of endurance.
Sometimes, God doesn’t remove the issue but rather empowers us to go through it. If Jesus never promised us a problem-free life, then surely it’s not every issue you’ll tell Him to remove from your life that He’ll listen to you. As a matter of fact, some are needed for your growth.
Sometimes, when God inspires you to help others, you may not have all the resources you need to do that, both financial and human resource-wise. However, once that desire is there, God doesn’t care about multiplying the little you have for it to become plenty for people to enjoy.
Just as David did, learn to call upon God in your misery. You don’t have to go out begging people to have mercy on you, especially when you are in financial trouble. No! It is God who convinces men’s hearts to help you. Seek God to bring the helpers rather than go to the helpers to get bounced.
Your pastor, spouse, parents or loved ones may not always be around you to deal with this situation. Some may not understand what you are going through so well. So, the earlier you lean on God, the better. Don’t let how downcast your soul is derail you from utilising the power of God to turn your situation around. Rise and move for change.
Dear pastor or ministry worker, take care of your spiritual health in the Lord. You came to meet work, and work will continue without you around. Don’t do ministry consistently without taking retreats. Plan that so well, no matter how busy your schedule is. Forget about people’s demands and be with the Lord regularly.
Romans 12:14 says as a believer, you must bless those who persecute you. To emphasise this, Paul continued in the same verse, “… bless and do not curse.” Think about that! You must choose to bless those who make your life hard as a Christian rather than curse them.
Since shepherding is very laborious, you need endurance to keep doing it, especially as a full-time minister of God. That is why it is costly to abandon your personal time with the Lord with the excuse that you are too busy doing the work of the ministry. If you are doing that, return to God – your first love.
