If you have been involved in ministry for more than a few weeks, you’ve probably noticed that discouragements come with the territory.  Of course, there are times when all is great, the mountain-top times.  But discouragement will keep biting at us all from various sides.  In this post we will consider one response to the issues raised, then in part 2 we’ll balance that with another possible response.

Discouragement can come from others.  Sniping, gossiping, criticism, comparison and outright attack.  I remember reading Well-Intentioned Dragons, a small book addressing the issue of people who think they are doing the right thing, but keep on tearing down the pastor or minister.  Discouragement can come from inside.  Feelings of failure, inadequacy,  downright fatigue.  Discouragement can come from lack of obvious fruit in the ministry.  It can come from almost anywhere.

Remember that this treasure is in earthen vessels, and that applies to you as much as to your congregation or to others.  Remember that your role is not to make everyone happy all the time.  Remember that God has prepared you and gifted you and is continuing to use you, even if you don’t feel it right now.

Paul wrote about earthen vessels in the context of his own preaching ministry (2 Cor.4).  “We are earthen vessels so that God will receive the glory.  We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; stuck down, but not destroyed.”  At times we may feel knocked down, but we’re not knocked out.  By God’s grace let us get back up and press on for His glory!