Discouragement: How are we to deal with it in ministry?

There’s not even one area of life where sources of discouragement cannot be found. Not one! This includes what is often called “the ministry.” In dealing with people who are resistant to the things of God, you’re definitely going to be tempted to become discouraged.  If you’re responsive to the teachings of the Bible, you are in a clear minority.  This is such an important truth that I even have articles about it on this website.  Here are the links to two of them—

Minority: Are you in God’s minority?

Minority: Who is The Real Minority?

Only Christians have the opportunity of true “ministry.” The word “ministry” itself simply speaks of serving.  But how is it that we’re to be serving as God’s people? First, it is to do with the gospel message itself.  Ministry is not to be confused with social work which is something any unbeliever can do. Remember: Anything an unbeliever can do is not a part of the Christian way of life.  Ministry is to do with leading people to Christ through presentations of the apostle Paul’s gospel message as well as being of assistance to people in their spiritual growth.  But first, people need to know about the means to salvation. As I so often mention on this website, that involves a person’s acceptance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the sole basis for their salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]

This seems too simple to many people.  They think they have to add something to what God has provided in Christ’s work of His cross, burial, and resurrection.  But only faith in THAT work provides salvation.  Our works of righteousness have nothing to do with it.  This is such a controversial subject that I have many articles about it on this website—

Works: How important are they?

Works: What about verses that seem to demand them for salvation?

Salvation: Is it really a gift?

Salvation: What part does man’s work play in it?

Salvation: Does it have to be earned by good works?

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that [that salvation is] not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]

As believers we are said to be created UNTO good works but we’re not saved by the works we do.  We’re saved by the one work God did in Christ for us.

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. [Emphasis added]

In ministry God does not hold us responsible for the response or reaction we get as presenters of this message. Instead, He holds the recipient of the information responsible. Furthermore, God doesn’t evaluate us because of our results but by our faithfulness to work at getting a clear and correct message out to people. He wants us all to see ourselves as personal representatives of Jesus Christ.  This is what being one of His ambassadors is all about.  This occurs both by our manner of life and the message of God’s grace that we present to others. We all need to be letting people know that pleasing God and gaining the salvation He offers comes to people by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. When people add personal works to this, they’ve distorted the message. They’re then presenting a false gospel that never provides salvation.  This is a part of the way the true gospel message gets hidden.  Satan is heavily involved in this.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

⁴ In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [Emphasis added]

Again, salvation isn’t something that is gained by personal works of righteousness as most of those who are a part of Christendom believe.

Titus 3:4-6

⁴ But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

⁵ NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, [PALINGENESIA = being born again] and renewing [ANAKAINOSIS = a renewing of one’s mind, one’s thinking] of the Holy Ghost [PNEUMA = Spirit];

⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [Emphasis added]

This “renewing” of one’s mind occurs after a person gets saved through one’s acceptance of the teachings of Scripture, especially those of the apostle Paul, for it is Paul’s teaching that is the teaching of Jesus Christ TO us today. 

I Corinthians 14:37-38

³⁷ If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I [Paul] write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

³⁸ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. [Emphasis added]

This message we have today was first entrusted to the Apostle Paul and no one else.

1 Timothy 1:11

¹¹ According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to MY trust. [Emphasis added]

As the very first member of the church which is the Body of Christ, it is Paul’s example, his pattern, that is now to be followed by all of us.

1 Timothy 1:16

¹⁶ Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. [Emphasis added]

Then notice the warning he gives about all this that has been completely ignored by nearly all in Christendom.

Philippians 3:17-19

¹⁷ Brethren, be followers together of me [Paul], and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

¹⁸ (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

¹⁹ Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [Emphasis added]

Notice the contrast between that and his attitude toward those who follow his example and herald the truths of his message.

Philippians 4:9

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in ME, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. [Emphasis added]

Was Paul “successful” in presenting this message? He surely was! But is that determined by “the number” he reached? Let’s look at his comments at the very end of his life and ministry.  Here we’ll see that he knew his “success” wasn’t determined by the response he was getting from the people to whom he was ministering.  Instead, it was based on his own faithfulness to present it and in how he represented Christ. Here we have some of Paul’s last written words—

2 Timothy 3:10-12

¹⁰ But thou hast fully known MY doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

¹¹ Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

¹² Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [Emphasis added]

Paul asked for the prayers of other believers concerning this.  Such is enough to shut anyone down, causing them not to ever again want to speak a word about our message of grace.

Ephesians 6:18-20

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds [he was chained to a guard in a prison]: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. [Emphasis added]

Do you suppose Paul was at times discouraged about all this? How could anyone help but be! There were many who parted ways with him over this and the truth of the message itself he so faithfully proclaimed.

1 Timothy 1:20

²⁰ Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. [Emphasis added]

There were even those who did everything they could to bring harm to Paul.

2 Timothy 4:14-15

¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

¹⁵ Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. [Emphasis added]

Again, don’t you suppose all this was quite a source of discouragement to the apostle Paul? It is to Christ’s followers today.  If you’ve never been discouraged in your activities to represent Him, I would think that would be reason to question your faithfulness in your “representation” of Him. But always bear in mind that there will be great reward in eternity coming to those who have to deal with all this opposition and resultant suffering.  It is that knowledge of the reward that awaits us that should sustain and motivate us all.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

¹ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

² Preach [KERUSSO = proclaim] the word; be instant [EPHISTEMI = steadfast or dutifully firm] in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. [Emphasis added]

And there’s good reason for us to be this way consistently.

2 Corinthians 5:10

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [Emphasis added]

Clearly some people have a lot of rewards to look forward to enjoying forever.  For more information about this coming time of evaluation and reward, please see my article about it—

Rewards: For what will God wish to reward you in eternity?

But if you allow yourself to be discouraged by the opposition and choose to withdraw in your representation of Him and these truths, you’re surely going to miss out on much that could have been yours.  This is why I often speak of living one’s life in the light of eternity.  Just living for this present time is something every unbeliever does.  You’re not to think and live as they do. Our lives are to be markedly different.

2 Corinthians 6:17^a

¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,… [Emphasis added]

It is in this that we’re to learn and apply the principles of separation that are set forth for us.  Here’s the link to a whole article I’ve written about this—

Separation: Are there people hindering your spiritual growth?

Such applications must be made if you’re to ever enjoy the best of God’s rewards for faithfulness.

Your Bible is filled with words of encouragement that God has provided for His people at one time or another.  These statements that are found all through the Bible generally have application in every generation.  While it’s true that we must always only claim promises of Scripture that have been given to us, there are many statements made in the Bible that apply to all of us in every generation. That’s a part of what this verse I’ll cite next is telling us—

Romans 15:4

⁴ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]

These passages I’ll now list all tend to be encouraging in situations where we’re tempted to be discouraged.  You may even be able to add some to this list—

Deuteronomy 31:8

⁸ And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed [CHATHATH = to be broken down as in disappointment and discouragement]. [Emphasis added]

Joshua 1:9

⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed [CHATHATH = to be broken down as in disappointment and discouragement]: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. [Emphasis added]

Isaiah 26:3-4

³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed [SAMAK = focused or fixed] on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

⁴ Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: [Emphasis added]

Isaish 41:10

¹⁰ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed [SHAAH = bedazzled or overwhelmed]; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. [Emphasis added]

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end [TIQUAH = hope]. [Emphasis added]

Psalm 23:4

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [Emphasis added]

Psalm 31:24

²⁴ Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. [Emphasis added]

Psalm 55:22

²² Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. [Emphasis added]

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. [Emphasis added]

John 14:27

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [Emphasis added]

John 16:33

³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. [Emphasis added]

1 Corinthians 10:13

¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [Emphasis added]

1 Corinthians 15:58

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. [Emphasis added]

2 Corinthians 4:15

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. [Emphasis added]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. [Emphasis added]

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [Emphasis added]

Romans 8:26-32

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [Emphasis added]

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. [Emphasis added]

³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [Emphasis added]

Romans 15:13

¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 2:20

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [Emphasis added]

Philippians 4:6-7

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Emphasis added]

Hebrews 11:6

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [Emphasis added]

1 Peter 1:3

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [Emphasis added]

1 Peter 5:7

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [Emphasis added]

If you’re hoping to expand your “friendship base,” lining your life up with the truths related to the right division of Scripture is going to help you accomplish that.  This will cause you to be pleasing to God and it will enable you to have a wonderful relationship with some of our Lord’s greatest servants.

I’m quite aware that I’ve lost many “friends” in the time I’ve been developing this website and in times past.  But for all of us it is far more important that we work to make ourselves “friends” with God in the things we believe and apply from His Word.  The flip side of this is the fact that some new and far better friends have been gained.  If you’re a part of that, thank you! I’m very much encouraged by your friendship.