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I have a unique job. I help edit/write curriculum for churches. In the Teacher’s Guides for teen teachers, one of the sections is called “Inspiration for Teachers.” The name of the section pretty much speaks for itself. It’s used to motivate and encourage teachers to keep on teaching even when things are going rough.

I deal with those lessons every single day. Every day I read, edit, and sometimes rewrite the “Inspiration for Teachers.” Here comes the unique part: What do I do when I become discouraged with ministry, life, etc?

The obvious answer seems to be “Pay attention to what you’re editing!” True, but at times it’s difficult to take my work and make it reality.

I was recently reminded of a book I read several years ago called Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry by Doug Fields. I read the book while I was going through a very discouraging time during my youth ministry internship. The principles that I read then still apply today in many facets of life. Here they are:

DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT
1. Welcome Christ’s suffering
2. It’s okay to question God’s calling on my life
3. Discouragement isn’t necessarily a sign of spiritual incompetence
4. Keep first things first – my relationship with God

PRACTICAL STEPS TO BATTLE DISCOURAGEMENT
- Be confident that you are not alone
- Find an experienced and neutral mentor
- Find an upbeat friend outside of youth ministry
- Realize that not everyone will understand you and your ministry
- Take a day off
- Schedule solo time away (Take a day out of each month to sit and reflect and get recharged)
- Clear the piles (Clean the piles of junk off your desk at least three times a year)
- Get some sleep
- Begin a discouragement journal
- Begin an affirmation file
- Make a personal comitment to last

Maybe someone will find this helpful.

(Special thanks to http://desireatheresa.blogspot.com for posting this info)

Tags: Discouragement, Doug Fields, Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry