I started this year with great enthusiasm. Having mapped out a strategy for pointing the youth ministry at my church toward loving God and loving people, I shared it with some colleagues and off we went! Well, 6 months later, I did an evaluation and found we had made only minuscule progress. Discouragement covered me like a dark cloud.
When penning 2 Corinthians, Paul was possibly at the lowest ebb in his ministry. The church he loved at Corinth was in chaos. False teachers were blasting his character. His name was being slandered. There was nothing to feel triumphant about, and he had every reason to feel discouraged.
Yet we read these words: “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Paul viewed himself as part of the conquering army of Christ. He recognized that no matter how disappointing and discouraging the ministry, God was in control of every single detail and He would ultimately triumph!
The apostle added, “Now he uses us.” Yes, even during those moments when we feel that we’re not making much impact, God is using us. Someone said, “In heaven, there will be lots of surprises. There will be people thanking you for your influence in their lives of which you have no recollection.”
When we feel discouraged, let’s lift up our spirits through thanksgiving and remembering that God has chosen us to march in triumph with Him. We will triumph because Christ always triumphs!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 2:25-49
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 and consider what Paul wrote about our work for Jesus not being in vain.
Next:
What can you thank God for in your ministry? Why is discouragement such a difficult thing to avoid in working with people?
Winn Collier on May 30, 2014 at 12:03 am
I’m glad God works from the long view.
Wayne on May 30, 2014 at 5:26 am
Remember God is with us
so we can do anything !
Thank you Lord !
Blessings, Wayne
Tom Felten on May 30, 2014 at 9:02 am
This is such an important topic, Poh Fang. We can often view the choices of others as our personal failures. Instead, we can pray for others and leave them in God’s hands.
gina on May 30, 2014 at 9:10 am
God does always triumph, but its hard during the discouraging times, when you need Him to intervene and provide direction.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on May 30, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Oh how the enemy wants us to be discouraged, but God’s command is to be strong and courageous for He is with us.
Mike Wittmer on May 31, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Amen! So glad that salvation depends only on God and not on me.