Dear Pastor and Church Leader…
You’re going to be ok! If you’re anything like me, you tend to be your own worst enemy — you’re most critical of yourself and as a result, you feel a tremendous amount of pressure and anxiety in your leadership. Yes, you are faithful to the Word of God, you love your people (more than they will ever know), and you’re doing your best to follow the Spirit’s leading as you lead those given to your care. By the way, if you are doing those three things, you’re doing just fine. You won’t always get it right, a busybody will always have something to say, and you won’t be able to please everyone. But seriously, it really comes with the territory. Often church people forget that we’re not perfect and that we’re human just as they are.
Also, if you’re anything like me, you probably extend much more grace for others than you do for yourself. You understand the depravity of human nature and the everyday pressures of daily life and in your desire to love and lead your people, you exhaust a tremendous amount of grace toward them, YET, you leave very little for yourself. Friend, that’s not good. It’s a lesson that I am continually learning to this day. BUT, I get it. Ministry is difficult. As mentioned, there’s a tremendous amount of pressure and anxiety involved. Even the Apostle Paul, when he lists for us his litany of troubles and trials in 2 Corinthians 11 he ended it by saying, “And apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” — 2 Corinthians 11:28. This is coming from the same guy who wrote to another church to “be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication…”. Now, I have no doubt Paul practiced what he preached, but he certainly felt the pressures and anxiety of church leadership. The struggle was real — and it’s real for us.
Maybe you’re coming off a difficult Sunday yesterday OR maybe it was a great Sunday, but you’re struggling with the daily pressures or anxiety for the church…
Give yourself some grace.
God sees your work — your blood, sweat, and tears. He sees your faithfulness to His Word and your love for the people in your care. He sees the amount of grace you extend toward others and He gives you the grace YOU NEED to endure. TAKE IT!
You’re not in the fight alone.
Prayer and people are your friends. When you feel the weight of pressure or the heaviness of anxiety, there is no better place to unload than to the Lord in prayer. “…With thanksgiving in your heart, make your requests known to God.” ALSO, who are the people in your life that can help you bear the heavy load? Maybe it’s a close personal friend, a group of fellow pastors, or a small group of people who are committed to walk this journey with you. RELY ON THEM! They are really there for you! You are not a burden.
Finally, BE ENCOURAGED! “Your labor is not in vain!” Your love for others, your leadership, your faithful dedication to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, your humility and grace, your prayers, your encouragement, your vision, and your heart for serving Christ and His church DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED! Thank you for all that you do to serve the Body of Christ. You’re My Hero!
To God Be The Glory!
PastorPusch
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” — Galatians 6:9
