Are You Growing Weary Serving In Ministry?

 

Ministry burnout is a common complaint throughout the Body of Christ. Although serving in the ministry is a good thing, we often find ourselves stretched too thin and growing weary.

But are we really stretched too thin, or are we just weary? Are we weary from serving or are we simply weary from life?

The Root of Growing Weary

When we are stretched too thin in every area of our life, the first thing we do is stop serving. We just have too much going on and we need balance in our life.

Well, the fact may be that we’re doing too much, but the truth is, we are all called to serve. While keeping that in mind, let’s ask ourselves; should serving really be the first thing we stop doing?

Is it possible that the things that are out of order in our personal lives, is being carried over in ministry?

What we have found is that when frustration is present, it’s usually a sign that our priorities are out of order. Think of it this way, when things are not right at home, what’s your demeanor like when you show up at church or work for that matter?

Remember God’s priorities are: God, Spouse, Family, Ministry and Work. And your first ministry begins at home. If your home is in disarray,  it’s not time to quit serving, it’s time to get to the root of the disarray at home.

In keeping all thing’s balance, having things in order at home is only one part, knowing where you should be serving is another.

Serve Where You Are Gifted

Sometimes frustration occurs while serving, because we’re serving where we don’t have the grace, or the gifts,for those ministries.

Serving the Kingdom of God is not about keeping up with the Jones’s. It’s about finding your place in ministry where your spiritual gifts match the needs of your church.

For example, Andre would love to play the guitar and Timberley would love to sing on the worship team. However, overtime, we could become extremely frustrated with how we sound. That’s because Lord knows those are not our gifts.

However, our spiritual gift is to Shepard our people. And we find great joy in not just teaching our people, but walking them through the high’s and low’s of life.

If you’re frustrated in ministry, ask yourself: are you serving where you're gifted? Click To Tweet

Please don’t misunderstand the balance here. There are seasons when we have to serve in places where there is a need, and in those times, if it is for you, the grace will be on you to do it!

We must however, resist the temptation to volunteer to serve in everything we feel gifted in. We may be called to serve, but that doesn’t mean we have to serve everywhere. Proverbs 11 reminds us to keep a balance in everything we do.

“A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” ~ Proverbs 11:1 (AMPC)

What happens when we’re serving where we know we’re called; we’re purposing to live a balance life; but find ourselves growing weary?

Well, this is when we labor to serve with joy knowing God will reward us!

Serve Knowing Your Reward

Serving with a assurance that God will reward us, didn’t hit home until a few months ago; when we read a devotion in our war room.

We keep Sparking Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner, in our war room. It’s a 365-day devotional with explanations of Greek words. On February 10th we read; “God Will Make Sure You Get Rewarded for Your Work of Faith.”

This particular devotion was about how God rewards those who are faithful to the assignments He gives them.

Like many; there are times we feel weary. Not because we don’t want to serve or feel stretched in serving; but because we don’t see the results, we want.

However, when we read Hebrews 6:10 in the Amplified translation, it resonated so much with our Spirit that we wrote it down and hung it up in our war room. We wanted to keep it before our eyes so that we would labor not to grow weary in serving.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.” ~Hebrews 6:10 (AMPC)

WOW! What a promise from God that we can hold on to. Especially during times of doubt regarding our purpose, and in our serving while waiting for a harvest.

Our Confession

The reason we love the Sparkling Gems devotional so much is because it not only explains scriptures with an understanding of Greek words; it also provides a confession and a prayer to go along with each devotion.

This entire devotion opened our eyes, and our heart to a deeper understanding of God’s awareness; of the time we have invested to serve His Kingdom. And we felt led to personalize the confession and prayer, especially for us. That way, we can see it, speak it and meditate on it, to strengthen our spirits when we begin to grow weary.

Our God is mindful of: the time, love, patience and money, we have invested in others. Hebrews 6: 10 tells us that our God will never overlook what we have done. So as we invest time and money sacrificially we have peace knowing without a shadow of doubt, that our God will reward us. Therefore, we refuse to grow weary or tired, nor give into discouragement. Giving up is not an option, as we will keep pressing forward with joy to do what God has called us to do, until He says we have completed our assignment.

We don’t know about you; but we find this confession to be extremely encouraging when we are feeling weary while serving.

Finding the balance to serve whether it’s through your church, your blog or community service, will take some time. But when we remember that our God does not overlook our labor, it will change our perspective in serving.

PS…If you aren’t familiar with understanding why God’s priorities are in their respective, we would encourage you to read: Embracing God’s Priorities. You can download the eBook free by clicking here, or you can purchase a hard copy or kindle version by clicking the links below.

 

~ André and Timberley Gray