It's OK

I don’t know what kind of day you had, but on any given Sunday a certain number of ministers will have had especially difficult days. 

I want you to know: You have permission to feel bad, to have an off day, to not hit a home run every time you present, to get discouraged, to question your own effectiveness, to think that perhaps you should be doing something else with your life, to feel under-appreciated, to wonder if anyone is listening, in short…to be human. 

As you read 2 Corinthians, this beautiful inspired book, that contains so much of the personal heart of Paul, you’ll realize he too dealt with the difficulties of ministry and the potential for depression that can come with it (esp 4:8-9 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed). 

But remember, the work we do is ultimately not about our emotions, our feelings, our sense of need or validation. There are souls to be taught, lost to be reached, faith to be built. Yes, give yourself the occasional pass when you don’t live up to the standard you wish to reach. You have permission to have an off day - a bad day - but you do not have permission to stay there.