Its amazing how much discouragement you can deal with when you are a pastor. And I think discouragement is normal... a lot of the big name Bible heroes got discouraged at times. But I think discouragement comes from the idea of, "I can do this. I will make this better. I will make it awesome." When in reality, we are at the grace of God in everything we do. God makes things awesome. I do not. And discouragement comes because it has become about me again, and what I think I can do.
I try to do God's job. I think I am the shepherd. In reality, God is the shepherd. I'm just the sheep dog.** (SHEEP DOGGY DOGG! which just sparked a great idea in my mind... a music video... to "Drop it likes it hot." maybe something like this: "When the kids try to get at you... drop it like its hotttt, drop it like its hotttt... When the parents get mad at you... drop it like its hottt, drop it like its hottt... When the Board get an attitude... drop it like its hottt, drop it like its hottt..." Okay - maybe that idea sucks, but its funny in my head! I guess you just have to be there... in my head).
Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." Duh. It makes so much sense.
So, from now on, when I get discouraged, here is what I am going to do:
- I am going to place my HOPE in God.
- I am going to expect Him to do something.
- I am going to listen for what I need to do to help.
- I am going to do it with confidence.
- I am going to give the credit to God. (because, He deserves it all).
Luke 18:27 "No chance at all, Jesus said, if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
How do you deal with discouragement?
**Thanks to Courtney Wilson for that analogy
