It could be argued pro-life work has never been more difficult than it is in our present cultural moment.
Especially during an election year, the very topic stirs more argumentation and dissension than almost any other issue.
Many faithful laborers in the pregnancy help field first put their hand to the plow long before Roe versus Wade was overturned.
They’ve been offering hope, help, and caring concern to women and couples facing unplanned pregnancies for years, maybe even decades.
They’ve faced multiple challenges in carrying out their ministry—challenges ranging from our culture’s devaluation of human life and sexuality, callousness about abortion, and the complex issues clients deal with, to the financial struggles of the ministry and difficulty retaining volunteers.
Such problems have existed since pregnancy help centers first began springing up as a practical, compassion-based alternative to abortion.
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But in today’s splintered, prickly, reactive world, the work may feel harder than ever.
If you are in pregnancy help ministry and you feel weary, it’s no wonder. You’re up against more obstacles than ever before.
Allow me to encourage you by reminding you of the big picture.
Pregnancy help ministry is gospel work.
It is a means for not only saving the lives of the preborn among us, but for reaching distressed parents with the good news of Jesus Christ.
It is a loving labor founded on the reality that human beings are created in God’s image, and that He loves every one of us.
Ultimately, this is why we face opposition.
We have an enemy who hates humans and wants to destroy them. If he can’t kill them in the womb, he’ll wreak destruction on them in other ways.
We have an enemy who hates humans & wants to destroy them. If he can’t kill them in the womb, he’ll wreak destruction on them in other ways.
As I reflect on the hardships faced by those in life-affirming ministry, I’m reminded of the many times gospel work is described as “hard work” in the Scriptures.
Luke writes in Acts 20:35,
“In everything I have shown you that, by working hard, we must help the weak. In this way we remember the Lord Jesus’ words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
In Romans 16, verses 6 and 12, Paul commends Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis as dear friends who have worked very hard in the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 4:12, 15:10, and 16:16, he describes himself and his coworkers as those who work hard with their own hands and instructs his readers to accept the authority of those who work hard on their behalf.
One Corinthians 6 describes the many hardships gospel ministers endured, including hard labor (6:5).
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-27, he contrasts the false apostles with himself,
“Are they ministers of Christ? I’m speaking like a crazy person. What I’ve done goes well beyond what they’ve done. I’ve worked much harder. I’ve been imprisoned much more often. I’ve been beaten more times than I can count. I’ve faced death many times. I received the ‘forty lashes minus one’ from the Jews five times. I was beaten with rods three times. I was stoned once. I was shipwrecked three times. I spent a day and a night on the open sea. I’ve been on many journeys. I faced dangers from rivers, robbers, my people, and Gentiles. I faced dangers in the city, in the desert, on the sea, and from false brothers and sisters. I faced these dangers with hard work and heavy labor, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, and in the cold without enough clothes.”
Paul knew hardship very well!
He expresses his concern about the Galatians that his hard work for them might be for nothing (Galatians 4:11).
In Colossians 1:29, he says concerning the maturing of the believers’ faith,
“I work hard and struggle for this goal with his energy, which works in me powerfully.”
In Col 4:12-13, he commends Epaphras, another hard worker whose labor focuses especially on prayer. (Maybe that describes you?)
In 1 Thes. 2:9 and 2 Thes. 3:8, Paul reminds his readers of his efforts and hard work to preach the gospel so as not to be a financial burden to them.
Throughout the New Testament, we are reminded that effective ministry requires hard work.
It’s not for the faint of heart. It takes endurance, commitment, and perseverance. It means sacrifice and suffering.
But there is a reward for this hard work.
Paul writes in Galatians 6:9,
“Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.”
Tweet This: “Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up” - Galatians 6:9
I put it this way in Unleashing Your Courageous Compassion:
“When we’re weary, it helps to remember the challenges we face aren’t new. Christians throughout the ages have spent their lifetimes addressing the human condition with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The world’s mindset is the same today as it was in the days of Noah, or Daniel, or Paul. Remember, Jesus says, ‘Take heart: I have overcome the world (John 16:33).’”
Yes, the work is hard.
But let us take heart and not give up, knowing there is a sweet reward coming. Let us remember we are not alone, and that God is pleased with our sacrifices.
May I pray for you?
Father, I pray for those in life-affirming ministry who may feel weary and discouraged today. You understand the work is hard. Help us trust that Your grace is sufficient and Your promises are true. Strengthen our hands, refresh our vision, and renew our joy. In Jesus’ beautiful Name, Amen.
