Has ministry made you tired?
You started that class, that study, that ministry because you wanted to tell others about Christ. You were excited!
So, what is going on?
It might be the pressure to perform.
[bctt tweet=”There’s a startling difference between being prepared and pressure to perform. https://wp.me/p4jbdw-4aF #livingfreetogether” username=”suzanneeller”]
Today I want us to give ourselves permission to rest from the pressure to perform. Grab your cup of coffee and let’s hang out for a few minutes. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about this.
If you notice, I have bed-head hair and I just don’t care. ♥ I’m just excited to be around the table with you.
Suzie
Q: What led you into ministry?
(Please don’t limit ministry to a full-time position somewhere. Ministry is doing and being what God calls you to do.)
Q: What is the difference between preparing and pressure to perform?
Q: What might it look like for you to rest in ministry?
Related Resources
If you want to take this deeper, you might love these blog posts:
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Thank you so much for this annointed message. It brought tears to my eyes… My husband and I have been leading a church plant for over 4 years now and can I ever relate to your question, “are you tired in ministry?”. But God continually is showing me that He sees the “one” and to help me to also see “the one”, not masses as the world determines success. That is NOT God’s ways. I am praying that God will help me this summer to do as you say, rest in God’s work. We have been faithful and I want to rest in my calling. I want to fall in LOVE again with what God has called us to do. Thank you again. May God lead us to rest in Him. Amen.
This subject is so timely!! I just read 2 Samuel 7 where David wanted to build a house for the Lord. But that wasn’t the job God designed for David. As holy as the idea of creating a “home” rather than a tent was, it wasn’t where God needed David. Finding rest in the specific task God has called us to do (in the current season) is vital. When we find that rest, we sink our roots deep and begin to grow where He’s planted us! Thank you for giving permission to rest!
Thank you Suzie for such a timely message. I have been hard on myself lately, I feel I should be doing more. I had to cancel my home Bible Study for three weeks because my post op healing is going oh so slowly. I have felt like I’m failing in my calling YET God is showing me that this is a time I need to step back and step up as a prayer warrior. Even though I have been pretty much confined to my recliner I can still serve him in a mighty way. I may want to do more but God wants me to Be still and know that He is God. Tomorrow, God willing, I will be starting up my home Bible Study again with three sweet friends. I’m looking forward to it.For now, I pray and will continue to pray for the needs of others and know, without a shadow of doubt, that God hears thise prayers, answers those prayers and loves me and my fellow sisters in Christ very much.
YES, AMEN, AND HALLELUJAH! Oh Suzie, I adore you! First of all, I think your hair looks fabulous… you are just beautiful no matter what your hair looks like and whether or not you have earrings on. Secondly, oh my goodness, your words. I listened with tears in my eyes. As youth ministers, my husband and I have allowed ourselves to become tired. Really tired. We’re questioning. And yet, God is asking us to stay. Aside from that, I’m honored to be a part of a beautiful women’s ministry. But recent moments have allowed doubts to creep in. I’ve questioned my abilities and whether or not I deserve to be a part of it. I love that you said that those doubts are a trap from the enemy. He’s definitely tried to shift my focus. God has placed this calling on my heart… years and years ago. I’ve questioned, because what I’m doing does NOT equal up to the world’s definition of success. I’m typically A-OK with that, but let’s be honest, sometimes we’re just human. I’m so incredibly grateful for my calling… oh my goodness, I AM… and I want to just rest in that. Thank you for a powerful reminder, Suzie.
I agree with Crystal — Suzie wears some pretty amazing “bed-head.” You truly are a gorgeous woman, Suzie … and I’m not simply speaking about the external, of course. You have a heart that radiates beauty! And it shows. And it speaks! Boy does it ever speak! This message is as timely as so many others, because God knows what your readers need to hear, and when. If He hadn’t let you experience doubt, maybe that woman’s words wouldn’t have meant so much — maybe they would have simply been praise, on top of an abundance of praise. And usually, when we are given an abundance of anything, we start to take advantage of it and forget the individual blessings. That’s been my struggle. I am an “encourager” by nature. But that also means I have a deep need for encouragement. It’s not surprising that my love language is “words of affirmation.” And there’s nothing wrong with that. God designed me that way because it makes my heart very sensitive for others. It also makes my heart very sensitive to others — and their opinions, their actions, their “likes.” Lord forgive me! God is so patient. He knows my heart. He lets me experience doubt because it helps me cling to Him – it helps me notice each blessing – and it helps me make HIM the source of my affirmation and encouragement. And He is constant, unchanging, and always for me! Even in this extremely busy season, when I’m struggling to write and struggling to juggle (haha – I’ll make that a blog post!), I can see His beautiful faithfulness as He teaches me and stretches me and prepares me for the plans He has made for me. What an amazing God! Don’t let numbers discourage you EVER, Suzie. The entire Kingdom of Heaven rejoices over the work you do – and it’s eternal, not simply for a season. xoxoxo
I love that you are part of my team. <3
Thank you, Suzie, for this timely message! This was exactly what I needed to hear this morning! FYI your bed-head hair is absolutely adorable and I love your earrings. Chandelier earrings are my favorite! God bless and bring you rest.
There’s a small boutique that is a consignment store that benefits ministries. They sell earrings like this (used, usually gorgeous) for $3. I am not a foo-foo girl, but I love earrings. Especially dangly, fun ones.
This was so timely for me and I know that’s not by accident–God’s perfect timing. Here are my takeaways that can help me free myself from self-imposed pressures. 1) I have to be so careful not to shift the focus from ‘what is’ to ‘what I believe things should be,’ 2) ‘God’s plans don’t look like what the world considers success,’ and 3) Mitzi, are you doing what I’ve called you to do? I am blessed by your message this morning. I am the queen of self-imposed pressure–it’s not really about perfection, but there is a measuring stick hanging out there for me to compare myself to others in terms of accomplishments or a check list; and when things don’t go according to my plans, then the measuring stick business gets in the way of what God has planned for me.
I think I can get like that energizer bunny with my feet going like crazy but I’m not really getting anywhere. Thank you for the permission to rest in my calling. That I show up to my day with my list and then surrender it to the Ultimate Listmaker – God first, and He will take care of the rest. He surprises me all along the way when I do so. Self-doubts still come and go along w/ bad hair, but I appreciated my rest-stop here today. (:
Sweet Suzie, you are a blessing!! You encourage me in so many ways. Giving myself permission to rest in my calling has been a big struggle. I am always comparing myself. I am always hearing the enemy’s voice taunting me about my lack of. God has been clear about the things he wants me to do. I want to rest in that place. i want to be faithful and I want to be content with who He has made me to be and what he has called me to. It is such a blessing to walk with you ladies. Thank you for sharing your hearts and being transparent in your struggles and in your walk with the Lord.
Suzie, I loved your message, and I love you! And you look great with your hair up!!
Suzie, your message today is timely. Just this morning the enemy of my soul whispered, “You might as well quit doing what you’re doing. No one is reading your words. You aren’t reaching anyone for Jesus. You aren’t making a difference.” The words fluttered through my mind and I should have known they were from him. But, I forgot about them this afternoon until I came over to your blog, preparing myself to write on this month’s prompt. Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak to me the words I needed to hear today. You’ve blessed me, friend. Love you so!
Suzie,
I loved your message, but at the same time, I am struggling with it. I find it a constant struggle between being prepared and pressure to perform. Being a rule follower, I hear all about what I need to be doing to become a writer or build a platform, and I find myself tired. I confuse the two.
The questions you asked are fantastic. I plan to ponder them with God this week.
What led me into ministry? The desire to point people to God, to let them know one does not have to go through life alone. To use my experiences and give hope to others when life seems impossible. Maree
Resting in my ministry: Hmmm I contemplating just how that could look. I have scaled back in my speaking.
The tension is allowing that to unfold, rather than “making it happen.” Your question is great!
You’re right we do need to give ourselves permission. Thank you I enjoyed this session!
What I am being called to do, the ministry being laid at my feet this season, is to stay calm, supportive, and helpful, for the 5 others in my life.
One just graduated college and is moving to NYC for his job.
One is moving to Seattle in September into a year ’round rental for her remaining 2 years of college.
One is in Rehab, bravely battling his mental demons, and working so very hard.
One is going to boarding school in Maine for high school in September.
And last but not least, the father of two of my others is trying to reinvent himself after being forced to retire before his finances were ready.
Also, if I’m being honest, I need to make sure I minister to myself this season as well. One month ago I began an entirely new career in real estate at the age of 52.
In my heart, I feel as though if I can breathe and be calm and supportive to all my others for the next few months, we will all be better off and our lives will all benefit. It’s a time not of giving per se, but being. Just being there for all of them as they navigate these enormous changes.
That’s what my ministry is in this season of permission. I’m going to let myself tend to my loved ones, with no guilt to do more, because it’s more enough and it’s what God wants.
Love this!
So grateful to hear your words. I feel as if you peeked in my journals. Thank you for using the avenue God provided to confirm my direction.
I saw your book on aexual abuse.The person I need to forgive the most is myself.I need to get away from my abuser.My husband.