We are honored to introduce our SCN members to Reset Joy Ministries, a valued sponsor of the Significant Church Network with a heart for encouraging and strengthening those who serve in ministry. Founded by Gary and Gail Marten, Reset Joy Ministries understands the unique pressures facing small-church pastors and ministry leaders. Through sponsored 24-hour retreats, mentorship, leadership development, and marriage and family support, they help leaders rediscover the passion, confidence, and joy of their calling. We are grateful for their partnership with SCN and invite you to learn more about their mission at resetjoy.org as you enjoy this special blog from their ministry.

5 Things That Can Steal Your Joy In Ministry

by Gary Marten, Co-Founder Reset Joy Ministries

Friends,

In John 15:11 NIV, Jesus tells His followers, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

What Jesus is sharing here with His followers, is surely true for His shepherds as well, right?

But to be honest, the demands of the ministry can steal our joy. Things happen that distract, dampen, and hurt, even to the soul. Gail and I experienced these challenges while in the pastoral ministry. We did not recognize the effects of what was happening and the damage it caused. We left the ministry fully believing God had a call on our lives. Looking back, we can see where we missed the signs that took us off the path God had for us. Our “yes” became “maybe we missed God.”

Twenty years later, I noticed a startling statistic that many were leaving the ministry like we did. With a little research and talking to some wonderful ministry leaders, we found 5 of the most common reasons why pastors leave the ministry.

We call them “Joy Stealers.”  Resetting our joy begins with identifying the challenges and hindrances.

1) Bitterness A feeling of resentment and ill-will

Most sources initially define bitterness in terms of the sense of taste.  However, the kind of bitterness that steals your joy comes from an offense caused by something someone said or seemingly acted out against you.  Their words or actions enacted against you come at a time when you were not expecting it or even more difficult, from a person whom you trusted.  The unexpected nature of the offense catches you off guard; it hurts you or your family; or it hinders the progress in realizing your dream.  The words spoken against you, or that action that feels like an attack, become like a bitter herb that you can “taste.”

Harboring an offense is harboring unforgiveness. Unforgiveness chokes out the blessings coming into your life.  There are issues that pop up that remind you of the offense, and it stirs up all those feelings of hurt and resentment.  You just cannot think of a way to release the offense, but the resulting difficulty may stem from the fact that you continue to carry it.  I know it hurts.

2) Frustration The feeling of being upset or annoyed especially because of inability to change or achieve something. 

Frustration comes when your reality and your expectation do not merge, when you think you should be further down the path than you are. This feeling can come from fear that you ultimately may not meet the goal you have set for yourself, from an insecurity that you may not be adequate to complete. Frustration can come from a disruption in your process or stem directly from a person.

For me, one area of frustration began when I was striving beyond where God wanted me to be in my ministry development. I couldn’t get “there” fast enough. Striving to be the best often causes our momentum to go past our point of maturity to handle what comes with it. Striving takes us to the outer edge of the margin we have set for our lives which can lead to feeling pressed. Recognize this as a challenge, confess it as sin if you need to, and call on the Name of the Lord for help.

3) Disappointment Sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of ones hopes or expectations.

Or Discouragement   A loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness

Either one of these is harmful to the motivation to proceed. If left unaddressed, it can lead to despair which can lead to depression. This is where people give up and often seclude themselves. They cannot face another day, let alone fight for it, and their soul becomes heavy and weary.  These are pitfalls that can take you off your game or disrupt the path that God has you on.

Ps. 46: 1-4 NKJV: “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.”

4) Weariness Feeling or showing tiredness. Having one’s patience, tolerance or pleasure exhausted.

Have you ever said, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired?”  You can experience weariness in any aspect of body, soul and spirit. The battle is real—spiritually, emotionally / mentally, and physically. Physical health is so important. Are you getting enough rest? Are you eating right? We are learning more and more about the importance of emotional health and the value of being emotionally self-aware. What are your stressors? What motivates you? We are keenly aware of what it takes to be spiritually healthy:  regular devotional time, conversation with the Lord, keeping unforgiveness out, and being rooted and established in Him. The physical demands of doing what God has called you to do is taxing enough on our body. Couple that with the effects of stress and our battle against spiritual wickedness in high places, well, we can get plumb tuckered out.

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

5) Feeling Alone/Isolated Separated from others. Exclusive of anyone or anything else.

This is an important factor of which to be aware, for the lion seeks whom he may devour. Satan excels at attacking one by getting them to stray from the flock. He attacks you with his buddies: Fear and Doubt. You have already separated yourself from others when you respond to the mission for which God has called you. We must make an effort to maintain connection with specific people that can watch us and help us.

All Definitions – Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10^th ed.) Merriam-Webster Incorporated

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Many times in the Gospels we see that times of ministry, Jesus would withdraw from things. The most memorable one was when He was praying to know the Father’s will.

JESUS HIMSELF deemed it necessary to pull away to reset.

That is one of the things I appreciate most about Significant Church Network. They are a group of ministers that can encourage each other in the next steps,

Also, our Reset Joy Ministries is a resource for you to get away. We have fully sponsored 24-hour retreats that allow a pastor and spouse to get away, enjoy each other and be encouraged by the Word and presence of God.

Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”