(44) Defeating Discouragement With Ourselves – Conclusion

So what does it take to keep going when you fell like you can’t seem to make a difference? Let me summarize with four key principles from scripture we must embrace.

I can have victory over discouragement in ministry when . . .

➊ I define success in ministry in keeping with the Word of God.

The Word of God teaches me to focus on unwavering faithfulness to God and growth in honoring God. The Word of God teaches me to determine my success by the reality of changed lives rather than large crowds.

The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NLT)

I can have victory over discouragement in ministry when . . .

➋ I determine to fulfill my God-given ministry in submission to the will of God to honor and please Him, not man.

I must determine that I am going to be obedient to God above all others, seeking and following His plan and methods. Whenever I get excessively focused on pleasing people I am in grave danger of compromising the Word of God, disobeying the will of God, and falling into discouragement.  My ultimate and governing passion must be to be pleasing to God, not man.

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ! (Galatians 1:10 NET)

I can have victory over discouragement in ministry when . . .

➌ I choose to accept and be content with the gifts and abilities God has given me without coveting or being jealous of the gifts He has given others.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. . . . It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11 NLT )

Any coveting of the gifts of another, any jealousy over their success is an indication that there is something wrong in my heart. I am saying that God doesn’t know what He is doing, that He has made a mistake. I am showing the roots of selfishness and pride.

I can have victory over discouragement in ministry when . . .

➍ I diligently serve in ministry, dependent on the power of God and fully confident in His grace to do the work of God.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me– and I in him– bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” (John 15:5 NET)

How do I know if I am abiding? How do I know if I am truly depending on God and not trusting my own thinking or ability? Let me suggest a test to answer these questions. Ask yourself the question, What am I praying about? You see, prayer is a big indicator of our dependance on God. I don’t pray about and seek God for wisdom and strength for the things I am depending on myself for. If I say I am depending on God for my ministry but spend little time praying about it, the truth is I am relying on myself, not God. And I will remain in discouragement. Sobering thoughts. Think about it.
 
Next:  (45)  Defeating Discouragement With Others - Introduction