A Challenge and an Opportunity
Discouragement: When not If
The frenetic pace of a Youth Pastor’s ministry can often numb you into a state of dejected melancholy or, most often, wear you out and leave you listless. The real blow, however, comes when you find yourself discouraged and lack the joy and expectancy that has motivated you.
Discouragement is a loss of confidence and enthusiasm, a feeling of dejection, demoralization, depression, and other similar feelings. It happens to everyone. In fact, you should factor in times of discouragement. Don’t let it sneak up on you. It is not a matter of if you get discouraged but when.
Discouragement most often results from unmet expectations. Getting to the heart of what is causing your discouragement is best. Is your youth program not growing? Are you hearing criticism about the youth program? Are you overwhelmed by overwork?
Many youth pastors tell me they get discouraged when the youth seem uninterested in the programs planned for them. Even worse, some are shocked when they discover many of the most faithful youths are adopting unspiritual lifestyles with no guilt. A youth pastor of a large youth ministry confided to me that all the high school guys he was training in leadership were sexually active, and they did not see any problem with it.
Discouragement is that feeling of disappointment, disheartenment, or despair that arises from setbacks, challenges, or perceived failures. It can manifest as a loss of motivation, hopelessness, or a sense of being overwhelmed by obstacles. Overcoming discouragement involves recognizing and addressing the underlying causes of these feelings while cultivating resilience, optimism, and a sense of purpose. Here are some strategies to help overcome discouragement:
1. Identify the Source: Take time to reflect on the specific reasons for your discouragement. Are there particular challenges, setbacks, or stressors contributing to your feelings? Understanding the root causes can help you develop targeted strategies for addressing them. However, there are times when no specific situations or events trigger discouragement. That’s okay. Sometimes, the constant pressure of the ministry gets to you.
2. Be Easy on Yourself: Don’t beat yourself up. Setbacks and challenges are a natural part of life and ministry, and feeling disappointed or frustrated is okay. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk; instead, offer yourself compassion and understanding.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Take a step back and remember what God is leading you to accomplish. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate progress. Setting realistic expectations for yourself can help prevent overwhelming feelings and ensure your goals are achievable.
4. Reach Out: Reach out to friends, family members, or trusted individuals for support and encouragement. Talking to someone who understands and empathizes with your situation can provide perspective, validation, and reassurance. Make friends with other Youth Pastors. Talk regularly and pray together.
5. Give to Receive: Sometimes, we receive what we give away to others. Take on the role of Barnabas, the constant encourager to the Apostle Paul (someone who needed encouragement a lot!).
6. Relax, Pray, and Meditate on God’s Word: Slowly read through the passages at the end of this article. Think through each verse and consider how God speaks to you through His Word. This mindfulness can help you cultivate awareness of your thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing you to respond to challenges with greater clarity and resilience.
7. Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems or setbacks, focus on identifying potential solutions and taking proactive steps to address them. Look for opportunities to learn and grow from challenges and view setbacks as valuable learning experiences rather than failures.
8. Find Meaning and Purpose: Reconnect with your values, passions, and sense of purpose to regain direction and motivation. Remember why you chose this ministry—to ignite hope in the hearts and minds of young people and equip them to confront and engage in this cultural moment.
9. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If feelings of discouragement persist or significantly impact your daily functioning, consider seeking support from a counselor. Really!
Remember that overcoming discouragement is a gradual process requiring patience, perseverance, and self-compassion.
Discouragement and the Family: Drawing Perspective from Love
We cannot fully discuss your ministry’s impact without including your family. If you are married, your spouse and family are your primary ministry. Sometimes, discouragement comes from your ministry’s negative impact on family time. But with the right foundation and priorities, you can optimize the time invested in ministry and family.
Let’s take a moment to examine the importance of your marriage.
A healthy Christian marriage is characterized by various qualities and practices that reflect the Bible’s teachings and the Christian faith’s values. Commitment, communication, and caring are essential components of a healthy Christian marriage, but additional characteristics contribute to its strength and vitality. Here are some key characteristics of a healthy Christian marriage:
Commitment to God and Each Other: While a healthy Christian marriage is founded on love, that love arises from a shared commitment to God and a mutual dedication to the marriage covenant. Both partners prioritize their relationship with God and seek to honor Him in their marriage by loving, serving, and respecting each other. Your spouse should know how much they are cherished and loved. If you have children, let them know you are not replacing them with the youth group! Spend time and communicate to them the values you share with the group. Bring them to youth events often so they can experience what you do and learn to appreciate your vision in ministry. Combining family time with ministry can enhance both components of your life.
Communication: Effective communication is vital for building trust, resolving conflicts, and fostering intimacy in a Christian marriage. Partners communicate openly and honestly with each other, expressing their thoughts, feelings, and needs with respect and empathy. They listen attentively to each other’s perspectives and seek to understand and validate their experiences.
Caring and Empathy: In a healthy Christian marriage, partners demonstrate compassion, empathy, and kindness towards each other. They prioritize well-being and seek to support, encourage, and uplift one another through joys and challenges. They show affection, appreciation, and gratitude for each other’s presence and contributions to the relationship. How you talk about and treat your spouse can provide a powerful example to the youth. Many need examples of healthy marriage relationships, even if they experience one in their home.
Forgiveness and Grace: Forgiveness and grace are essential to a healthy Christian marriage. Partners recognize that they are imperfect and prone to mistakes and extend forgiveness and grace to each other when conflicts arise. They seek reconciliation and restoration rather than holding onto resentment or bitterness.
Shared Values and Goals: A healthy Christian marriage is built on a foundation of shared values, beliefs, and goals. Partners align their lives with biblical principles and seek to grow spiritually together. They prioritize their relationship and make decisions that reflect their shared values and goals for the future.
Intimacy and Connection: Intimacy encompasses emotional, spiritual, and physical connection between partners. In a healthy Christian marriage, partners cultivate intimacy through deep conversations, shared experiences, and intentional efforts to strengthen their bond. They prioritize quality time together and each other’s emotional and physical needs.
Servant Leadership and Submission: In accordance with biblical teachings, partners in a healthy Christian marriage demonstrate servant leadership and mutual submission. Husbands lead their families with humility, sacrificial love, and servant-heartedness, while wives support and respect their husbands’ leadership with humility and trust.
Prayer and Spiritual Growth: Prayer and spiritual growth are central to a healthy Christian marriage. Partners pray together, seek God’s guidance for their relationship, and support each other’s spiritual journey. They prioritize regular attendance at church, participation in spiritual disciplines, and engagement in the Christian community.
Don’t be discouraged by getting discouraged. We all go through it, and many of the heroes of the faith did too. What is important is how you respond. God may be allowing you to work your way through discouragement to strengthen your faith in what He has for you in the future.
You are not walking alone!
Here are some passages to meditate on and pray through. Keep your eyes on Him!
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed daily. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58