3 Verses to Encourage you in Ministry

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him. – 1 Timothy 1:12

Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. – Romans 12:11

Ministry is great and wonderful in so many ways. While many of us get started in ministry excited because we feel called to serve and the impact we wanted to make, discouragement can also creep in from time to time in a variety of ways. That is why we need to keep our focus on why we got started in ministry. We need reminders and encouragement from time to time.

One of the ways that can bring a lot of encouragement is from getting reminders from the Bible. They can bring a sense of hope and inspiration, especially when things seem bleak in ministry. Above are some Bible verses and here are why these verses can encourage you:

• Nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless (1 Corinthians 15:58). We all want to see fruit in our ministry. You want life changed but sometimes it doesn’t happen and it almost definitely doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a long time before you see the fruit of your labor. However, if you stand firm and steady, you will see it happen.
• God gives you the strength (1 Timothy 1:12). When you start off in ministry you are truly dependent on God to give you the strength and energy to do His work. However, the longer you are ministry, the more likely you are going to rely on your own strength and energy to do God’s work. You may be able to go off your own strength for a while but eventually it will catch up with you. Take time today to sit and ask God to give you the strength and energy to not just survive but thrive. Rest if you have to and rely on God’s strength to carry you through and guide you.
• You are worthy to serve Him (1 Timothy 1:12). At times of discouragement in ministry you may feel like you are not worthy to serve the Lord, that you are not good enough. Those are lies from the devil trying to keep the discouragement fresh and get you out of ministry. Don’t let the devil win. Seek God and trust His calling on your life.
• Give your all (Romans 12:11). How is this encouraging? Well, it keeps us focused on our part. God has a HUGE part in our ministry as we can’t do much without Him. However, we have to work hard and hard work produces results. Being lazy doesn’t get you very far. Trust God and work hard and see what He does.

In any job there is a honeymoon period where you can do no wrong and there is a lot of grace given. However, that honeymoon period eventually eclipses and there may be times that discouragement and despair comes in. Can you really do this? Are you the right person? Should you just quit? You can do this and God does want to use you. Don’t let discouragement win over. Seek Christ daily and let these verses rejuvenate you. They are intended to encourage you so that no matter what phase of your ministry career you are in they will help lead you and give you hope in those tough times.

What are some verses that encourage you? Share your them below or on social media using #ymsidekick when you share.

Want to learn digital tools to expand your reach in ministry this year?

Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group!