I’ve been involved in the local church as a pastor long enough to know that some Sundays are really hard. If that’s the case for you, I hope these ideas will help you find some joy today:
- Focus on those who affirmed you rather than the few (or even the one) who got under your skin. It’s been my experience that we too often let the few voices drown out the many. The opposition isn’t always as strong as they seem.
- Take the day off – or at least part of the day – and do something you enjoy doing. For me, that would mean taking a hike, shopping at a place like Dick’s Sporting Goods, reading a sports magazine, or hanging out with one of my mentees.
- Do what you’d tell another church leader to do. If someone else who had a bad Sunday came to you for ministry, what would you tell him or her to do? A tough Monday is a time to apply to your own life what you’d tell someone else to do. Follow your own advice.
- Read a few of your favorite Bible stories. I know that solution sounds like a basic Sunday school idea, but you may need to go back to something familiar and comforting. Let the stories that inspired you in the past inspire you again today.
- Hang out at a local favorite spot, and tell somebody about God’s blessings in your life. Go someplace where you know you’ll likely be in a conversation, and be sure to talk about God’s goodness. Re-focus your attention on His blessings as you witness to somebody else.
- Do what Jesus said to do: pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28). Sometimes we don’t pray much at all when we’re frustrated; however, not only should we pray even more then, but we should also pray specifically for those who hurt us. God changes our heart as we pray for theirs.
- Love on your family today. Play with your preschool kids. Go to an amusement park with your teens. Call your adult children. Hang out with your grandkids. Take your spouse to dinner. Avoid secluding yourself in your frustration after a tough yesterday – make yourself enjoy the day with people you know adore you.
Let us hear how we might pray for you today.
I thank God for His timing and providence. I had probably one of my toughest ministry day yesterday after serving at this church for seven years. I have been contemplating resigning due to a hostile and divisive member’s meeting. However, I written an e-mail to the church exhorting us to keep our eyes on Christ, remembering he too suffered, yet without sin. Thank you for writing this today.
The Lord is good to us, isn’t He, Chad? Praying for you today.
Will be praising God for you and your calling to the gospel today, my brother. God IS so good!
Thanks, friend. Always good to hear from you.