Life affirming ministry has always been challenging. That’s because we are involved in a battle for the lives of innocent preborn human beings against an invisible (but very real) spiritual enemy.
The Apostle Paul reminds us,
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” –Ephesians 6:12
These days, it can be tempting to think of our enemies as the people who vandalize our clinics or who slander and malign us.
The onslaught of everything from verbal attacks to property damage to death threats is nerve-wracking. We may fall prey to anxiety and fear or entertain thoughts of fighting back.
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Of course, as those who do this work for the sake of Christ, we know that retaliation is out of the question. We leave justice in the hands of our righteous Judge.
As for worry, we know that we are to cast all our cares on Him who cares for us (I Pet. 5:7).
Still, this stuff is tiring.
What can we do about the weariness we feel because of the ongoing tirades against our mission?
The answer is simple, but not necessarily easy.
First, we must keep in mind that our ministry is not our identity.
Your identity is not “executive director” or “nurse manager” or “client services director;” your identity is beloved child of God.
Further, the mission doesn’t rest on you. The mission is God’s, and we participate with Him. That doesn’t mean things will always look pretty—they didn’t for Jesus—but it does mean it’s up to Him to get the job done, not us.
Finally, when we feel heavily burdened, it’s probably because we are taking on more than our share.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Matt. 11:28-30
If the questions repeating themselves in your mind sound like, “What if…?” or “How am I going to…?” you may need to revisit Jesus’ words.
When you feel like throwing in the towel because of the storm of rage swirling around, you can take comfort in His promise.
He wants to give you rest.
Here are some practical ideas for maintaining a healthy perspective:
1. Put aside your ministry responsibilities on your days/hours off. Don’t let the life-affirming mission consume you or steal your rest and recreation. Take off your hat regularly.
2. Find out what re-charges you and do that. In a recent sermon, my pastor offered the acronym PIES to help us remember a few areas where we need to be regularly recharged: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual.
Under physical, helpful activities might include walking, biking, or another favorite exercise. Under intellectual, you might list reading fine poetry or good books (but not on prolife topics, lol).
Under emotional, you might list coffee with a friend or a date with your spouse. (I’ll throw in one of my personal favorites: tea parties with the granddaughters. Now that’s good therapy!)
Under spiritual, you might put doing a Bible study or listening to worship music.
Make an extensive list of things you enjoy. Keep in mind that the things which rejuvenate someone else will not necessarily do the same for you.
Are you a nature-loving introvert? A walk in the forest will probably do you more good than meeting friends at Starbucks.
Are you a people-loving urbanite? Maybe you would enjoy attending a concert in the city.
One great way to find out what refreshes you is to ask yourself this question: What activity makes time melt away?
For me, that’s writing, including songs. For someone else, it might be painting or sculpting or quilting.
What is your favorite rejuvenating activity? Take some time to enjoy it!
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously. I received this sound advice from one of my seminary professors, a wise and knowledgeable man whose joyful and lighthearted demeanor has been a great source of inspiration.
As you participate with God in this ministry, remember that He is the awesome one (so you don’t have to be). Rest in the reality that you are His precious child, and He is taking care of you—as well as all those to whom and with whom you minister.
Tweet This: We must keep in mind that our ministry is not our identity. Your identity is beloved child of God.
Yes, the storm of rage continues.
All the more reason to rest and re-charge, leaving the mission in God’s capable hands.
