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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Suffering is generally portrayed in the Bible as the necessary and God-ordained, though not God-pleasing, plight of this fallen world (Romans 8:20-25, Ezekiel 18:32), and especially the necessary portion of all who would enter the kingdom (Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4) and live lives of godliness (2 Timothy 3:12). This suffering is never viewed merely as a tragedy. It is also viewed as a means of growing deep with God and becoming strong in this life (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:3-4; Hebrews 12:3-11; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 4:7-12; 12:7-10) and becoming something glorious in the life to come (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18).
John Piper

Jesus does not hide His extreme requirements in the fine print but proclaims them boldly in headlines… Faithful discipleship that will stick it out to the end does not rest on a momentary burst of feeling. Enthusiasm may wane as quickly as it blazes up.
David Garland

    • Identifying Obstacles in Ministry

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    Identifying Obstacles in Ministry and Learning How to Overcome Them

    1. Confusion

    Anxious – too many alternatives – too many outside stresses.
    Causes indecisiveness.  Take time apart with God.

    		 I’m confused.
    2. Fear

    Based on faulty belief system.

    		 I’m scared.
    3. Disobedience

    Spread too thin.  We’re in control or we’re escaping.  Derive meaning, purpose, and identity out of what we do.

    		 I’m sorry – too busy.
    4. Apathy

    “Neither hot nor cold”.

    		 I’m not interested.
    5. Worthlessness

    Faulty belief system – a spiritual problem.  We are made for God’s pleasure.

    		 I’m not important enough.
    6. Self Pity

    a. We need to be more sensitive, more compassionate.

    b. We can’t go through life licking our wounds.

    		 I’m hurt.
    7. Pride

    Self-confidence; not leaning on God.  Can come from self-hatred – striving to be great.

    		 I’m in charge.
    8. Envy

    Comes from a feeling of being deprived.  Born out of a feeling that we have so little to give, and it’s not worth it.  Function of insecurity and low self-esteem.

    		 I’m jealous.

     

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