Lately, I’ve been in a season of intense discouragement because of circumstances beyond my control. It’s taken its toll on my spirit. Satan had almost convinced me that serving the Lord wasn’t worth the hardness and heartache. But God gave me some encouragement to endure in ministry, and by His grace, I’m back at it.
Maybe you’re in a similar season and are contemplating throwing in the towel. Please don’t give up! We need what you have to offer the world. Only you can accomplish the mission God gave you because you are a unique creation of the Almighty. You are endowed with a spiritual gift that melds with your distinct personality and special traits to edify, equip, and empower the saints of God and evangelize the sinners in a way that absolutely no one on this planet can do because they’re not you.
If you need help persevering through the difficulties of serving the Lord, then keep reading as I share three phrases that God uses to keep me enduring in ministry.
3 Phrases to Remember to Endure in Ministry
- Fulfill the ministry
- Fight the flesh
- Focus forward
Fulfill the Ministry God Gave You
Colossians 4:17 KJV ~ And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
God pulled me off the sidelines and back into the race and reminded me I needed to fulfill the ministry I’m called to. My ministry is to teach His word so other women might know, live, and invest the Bible themselves. I do that through women’s ministry at my church, discipleship, writing Bible studies and study resources, writing for this blog, and others.
But I hadn’t been doing any of those things for a while. I had lost my inspiration and the inclination to invest in anyone. All the spiritual warfare and suffering left me feeling dry, depleted, and done. I didn’t think I had anything left to give.
I wonder if that’s how Archippus was feeling. The apostle Paul gives the admonition in the letter to the church at Colosse for that man to endure in ministry. He calls Archippus his fellowsoldier in the second verse of Philemon, but nothing else is mentioned of him in the Bible. Since it was written to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the entire house church we can presume that he was a leader there. It’s often those in leadership who face the most opposition and therefore need encouragement to endure.
I’m curious what kind of affliction was Archippus facing that made him consider quitting ministry? Was it family troubles or spiritual warfare? Or was it trepidation at facing persecution that held him back? I don’t know what issues he had that prompted Paul to write those words of encouragement to endure in ministry, but I can relate to Archippus’ hesitation, and I bet you can, too.
God Made Up His Mind When He Gave You Your Calling
Romans 11:29 KJV ~ For the gifts and calling of God is without repentance.
God and I are in a covenantal relationship. When we entered that union at my conversion, I received His Spirit and an assignment to complete for His glory. Those two things are unchanging because God doesn’t change His mind about the covenants He makes. (Hebrews 6:16-19)
If you’re a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then the same goes for you. Remember how God has gifted you and the calling He has placed on your life. No one on earth can do that as you can.
It wasn’t a mistake and it’s not going away, so endure in ministry and exercise your spiritual gift. There’s a reason God gave it specifically to you and there’s someone out there who needs exactly what you have to offer. Who knows how many lives can be transformed by your faithfulness to fulfill your ministry?
2 Timothy 4:5 KJV ~ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Fight the Flesh to Endure in Ministry
Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion says that a body at rest will remain at rest, and a body in motion will remain in motion unless an external force acts upon it. That proved to be true for me when I allowed my circumstances to stop my forward progress in ministry. Getting started again was a fierce fight with the flesh.
Galatians 5:17 KJV ~ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
It was a battle against my emotions as God wanted me to be sober-minded and steadfast in service to Him even if I didn’t feel like it. He reminded me of the pledge of loyalty to Christ I made at salvation. It went something like this: “Lord, forgive me for wasting my life. From this moment on, I want to serve you and bring you the glory you deserve, no matter what.”
Have you made the same vow? Is the pull of the flesh keeping you at rest instead of running your race and finishing your course? Remember the words of Mr. Newton and take that first step of faith to get going again.
Good ways to fight the flesh:
- read and study the Bible
- listen to sermons
- quote scripture
- listen to and sing praise music
- pray without ceasing
- journal about everything
- ask for accountability and prayer from a trusted and mature Sister in Christ
Resources to Help You Endure in Ministry
In addition to the Bible, there were two books that helped get my heart, mind, and will align with God’s. “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” by Lysa Terkeurst, and “Refresh” by David and Shona Murray. Raw, real, relatable, and refreshing, they were such a blessing in my burnout. I highly recommend them if you’re feeling discouraged, depressed, or disillusioned in ministry.
Ministry isn't for the faint of heart, but Jesus is totally worth it. Share on X
2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV~ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Focus Forward Like Jesus Did to Endure in Ministry
We can get so preoccupied looking down at all of our problems or back at all of the hard things we’ve endured already. Not only does it slow us down, but it keeps us focused on ourselves instead of others and the Lord.
To endure in ministry we have to look past the present distresses. Like Jesus, we have to see the needs that we have the power to meet, and we have to focus forward on the rewards in Heaven for a job well done on Earth.
Think of the people who count on you and need you to do what you are gifted and called to do.
Who will not know the gospel if you opt out?
Who will not have the courage to move forward in their calling if they don’t see you doing it?
Run Your Race With Patience and Persevere
Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV ~ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
To run our race with patience means to endure, just like Jesus did. He suffered through the hard times because He focused forward on the pure joy of reuniting with His Father in Heaven.
We have to shift our sights to Jesus, who set the example for us in all things. There’s not a person on earth who suffered as much as He did. But Jesus kept going and finished the work He was sent to do.
He doesn’t ask us to do anything that He hasn’t done himself. What kept Jesus going through all of His affliction and sorrow? The same things that will enable us to endure in ministry- identity, purpose, vision, grit, and faithfulness.
Jesus knew exactly who He was, what He was sent to do, and where He was headed when His mission was accomplished. And He faithfully completed His task with diligent determination, despite the many difficulties He faced. (John 13:3)
Rely on God’s Grace to Keep Going in Ministry
If you’re in a season of affliction and it seems like the darkness is prevailing against you, l hope that this post encourages you to endure in ministry for the glory of God. Don’t let the enemy silence your voice or stop your service to the Lord.
Rely on God’s grace to keep going.
Fulfill the ministry He has entrusted to you, fight against the flesh that wants to rule you, and focus forward on the joy that is set before you.
I’m rooting for you, friends!
2 Timothy 2:3 KJV~ Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Get a Jesus Journal!
I designed and published a tool to help Christian women to know Jesus more. My Jesus Journal focuses your time in the word on learning more about the Lord and cultivate a closer relationship with Christ.
Intended to be used alongside your daily Bible reading, My Jesus Journal has space to record the date, the scriptures you read, and lined spaces to write your observations about Jesus you saw in the text. At the bottom of that page is a verse from the KJV Bible about Jesus. The next page is for writing your prayers related to what you discovered in your reading. And there are extra prayer pages in the back.
If you are looking for a tool to help you grow in your knowledge of Jesus, build intimacy into your relationship with Him, and deepen your love for the Lord, then My Jesus Journal is just what you need!
Beautifully designed with your spiritual growth in mind, My Jesus Journal is perfectly sized to fit into your purse, backpack, or diaper bag. You can grow on the go when you use wait times in the Doctor’s office, the carpool line, etc. for Bible study.
Priced at just $8.99, you can purchase one for yourself and a friend, or consider buying one for your entire ministry, to begin a season of seeking Jesus together. It makes an excellent gift for any Christian woman in your life! Click on the picture to order today:
Articles to Help You Endure in Ministry:
10 Qualities of a Good Steward
The Importance of a Sober Mind for Spiritual Stability
7 Steps to Restore Your Spiritual Energy When You Get Weary in Well-Doing
The Secret to Living the Abundant Life
How to Live Victoriously in Christ
5 Steps to Help You Focus and Finish Strong
Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
Pray With Confidence
Prayer gives us the strength to carry on in our calling. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the monthly contributors. Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
How to Have Peace in the Chaos of Life
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and challenging questions as well. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
The season of trial shall pass away, no matter how difficult it may appear. Everyone goes through one tough time or the other, but Satan mostly try to make Christians feel we are lone rangers in problems. No, Satan is a liar! We have Jesus Christ whose power is invincible to overcome all the enemy’s efforts. Christian will always come out better in the end.
Amen! Praise the Lord! 🙌🏼