Why is that ministering to others takes so much out of you?

Question

It is easier to be a baby christian when everyone is fussing over you and when one does not have a lot of resposibility and life is care free and every day is awesome that is what I was like as a Christian being I acceted the Lord as a teenager.

However over the years when I grew in Christ ministry became very demanding and there were times I felt "squeezed too tight" like I said before it is easier to be milk of the word than meat of the word. It is funny when you are willing to step up to the plate and serve God how many out there are the first to take advantage in a bad way and this is not just church, but work and relatonships too. There are people who take and take but never give.

My question is How does one remaing joyful and filled with the Holy Spirit when much is requried or demanded of you? Why does ministering take so much out of you? And what are ways to revive and replenish yourself so I dont become resentful or lose my passion for God?

Answer 1

Nehemiah was feeling the same way. He was looking at all the rubble of destroyed Jerusalem that surrounded the newly rebuilt temple, and became very tired. The Lord then spoke in Nehemiah 8:10, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

If you feel worn out after ministering, it may be that you have just been under attack from the enemy--which, in a warfare situation WOULD wear you out. Or, you are trying to do it on your own strength and not letting the Holy Spirit do the work.

Perhaps it is time to back off a bit, sit still, and know that He is God. Ask God to give you a fresh refilling, and then come back into the fight. A soldier is of no good use in the fight if he is worn to the bone and fatigued. These are taken out and given a time of R&R.

Answer 2

The Bible says "Do not grow weary in well doing".

If we serve God to serve God we will not tire.
Learn to say 'no' to people unless what your being asked to do is not what you know God is calling you to do.
Learn not to be a man pleaser but a God pleaser.

Remember that whatever you do, you do it for the Lord.
Hope this helps.

Maybe you are doing too much, for when we are over tired then these kind of questions come into our minds.

Encourage yourself in the Lord like David.
Ask the Holy Spirit to refresh you and fill you anew, but first confess any sin you might be harbouring to the Lord.

Ask God to search you and see if there is anything in your life which is not pleasing to Him.

Answer 3

My very favorite Bible passage that I read as an encouragement is Psalms 91. God never said it was going to be a bed or roses. I too often feel like you do and I get especially cranky when someone insinuates that people are Christians because they are weak in mind. It takes a lot more to be a believer and pursue the works of Christ than to be a nonbeliever and just float through life.

Answer 4

What you are experiencing is something very similar to this example. Let us not forget that this is a war between good and evil. Evil hates, kills, and destroys. Good loves, gives life, and restores. Just like a solider who signs up in the time of war gets all patrotic and excited that they are going to do something worthwhile for their friends, family, country and loved ones, so too you might have became excited.

But then you go from the transition of civilian life to the military life. There is boot camp, and at these times in a Christian's life, everything seems to hit you all at once and you are never quite sure what to do, or if you are doing the right thing.

After boot camp, you are sent off to your place in battle. That might be in the front lines, or perhaps somewhere in the back. Wherever it is, it is not pretty, it is not fun, and you begin to think how well you had it when you were a civilian, or about the times when you did not have to worry about bombs falling on your head.

Just remember to not hate the enemy, lest you become just like them, and to fight for what is good, wholesome, and right. The enemy does not care one bit if you get discouraged, or wearied, or decide to give up and call it quits -- it is all the better for him. Satan, his forces of evil, they are merciless and unforgiving.

Keep your eyes on those days of peace and on what you are fighting for. Do what is right and hang in there for God and for all your loved ones. The more you do this, the more you put yourself into this, the more it takes out of you. This is called sacrifice, and it is a sacrifice that is well made.

Love God and keep your eyes on Him. Fall down, cry if you must, but keep on looking into His eyes, and you will be alright, for God is with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. God found you, and you are now His. He will take care of you, and you will inherit His Rest.

Answer 5

You must do things in moderation. It's very good to go out and do works for the Lord, but if you are too weak to work, you need to rest. It's okay to say no to people, take care of yourself and then others, you are no good to anyone if you yourself are too weak to help them. Keep yourself strong and you can help others much more.

The only person who has a right to demand anything of you is the Lord himself. If the church you are in is demanding things of you, you should withdraw some and rest for a while. People will knowingly and unknowingly put stumbling blocks in your path, I think you are finding a few of them. Slow down those who are asking so much of you, you are not perfect, and you can't do it all yourself. Ask the Lord for more workers in the field you are harvesting in. :)

Answer 6

you have to remember that your ministering to others is not about you, but it's about how Christ wants to use you for His kingdom. it's like asking God for kids in somalia not to hunger when they haven't really done the world much crime, like the terrorists did. To understand world suffering is not in the scope of our limited 5 senses, but rests in the omniscient God who works all things together for good. Where are you when the “emotions” for God is gone, do you stay with Him or leave Him? Being a Christian requires us to commit to Christ, whether you “feel” it at this time or not. Remember that the heart is the most deceitful part of our body, that’s why Christ is always asking for our hearts, that we may stay enlightened no matter what our emotions, selfish in its own nature, tell us. The path is narrow, and one major obstacle along the path is getting sick of giving to others when we feel like we haven't received anything at all; while we as Christians got the most important gift anyone could ever have.

Having said that, keep in mind that God has always put a plan & purpose specifically just for you. This is not your life, not for eternity. Meaning, it won't stay this way forever. It's not even a fraction of what forever is, once we're all rested in His kingdom in heaven.

Answer 7

If you're not screaming and bible thumping like a Southern Baptist preacher, its not the work that's wearing you down, it's the people and their negativism. As a representative of God, you are supposed to be an example to the general population of living with the grace of the Lord. The way to replenish the good feeling is to live your life in reminiscent pleasure of how it was in your youth, and to treat the flock as young sheep.

Answer 8

All I can say is its very difficult and very demanding. Most of the time just like in certain fields many people will except allot from you and not give even a thank you in return.

What renews me is every other blue moon someone will do something for the benefit of mankind and not themselves and that is enough to have hope that mankind is salvageable and not lost.

Answer 9

You need to use wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives you in who to minister to. Some people will take and not really want or need it..like a sponge. I encourage you to re-evaluate who and where you minister so that you don't get burned out..You also need to take time to get ministered to or refilled. A well can run dry.

Answer 10

My suggestion to you is, Don't waste your time pouring yourself into a vessel with holes.
Find those who are really interested in living for God and invest yourself in them. Remember Jesus's first priority was to His disciples.
"To Him that has shall more be given, and He shall have an abundance; but to him who has not, even what he seems to have shall be taken from him." (Luke 8:18)