It was a sincere and concerned question from a kind heart. It’s a question that we’ve heard, in various ways, quite a bit over the past year or so. To be honest, it’s a question that we consider a lot. Chances are, as a preacher, you’ve been asked a similar question numerous times, and one that you’ve asked yourself.
How do you keep going when you’re suffering with a physical illness or when someone you love is dealing with a terminal illness? How do you keep going when you feel emotionally worn down to the point of burnout? How do you keep going when you feel underpaid, under-appreciated, and overworked? How do you keep going when you are struggling in your marriage or with your children? How do you keep going when you are at odds with your elders, co-workers, or a prominent member in the Church? How do you keep going when you feel ineffective, when you feel like a failure in your work for the Lord?
Just a few reminders from my heart. You probably know all of these, but perhaps they will serve as reaffirmation for you.
Remember that we are partners with God in the greatest work in the world. As proclaimers of the Word, we are not dealing in trivia.
Remember that this is, as we often say, the work of the Lord. We are doing His work. The more we come to understand and remember this, the easier it will be for us to keep going.
Remember that whenever we preach the Word of God, we are giving those who hear us what they need to make the most important of all of life’s decisions.
Remember that we are bringing comfort to the broken-hearted, peace to the troubled, and hope to anyone who will obey the Word of God.
Remember that in spite of the difficulties of this life, we have the promise of Heaven. Someday everything in this life will be in the rear-view mirror and our eyes will behold the Glory of the Lord.
By the way, what keeps you going? Feel free to share your thoughts with all of us.
