Real Struggles in Ministry

 Scripture:

' Why did I ever come forth from my mother’s womb? All I experience is trouble and grief, and I spend my days in shame.'  Jeremiah 20:18

Observation:

In this chapter, Jeremiah is wishing he had never been born. He says that God made him become a prophet and that he would really rather do something else. He says that he is tired of being ridiculed for being such a negative prophet and always speaking of destruction. By the end of the chapter, he says this verse. He is depressed and wishes he had never been born. He sees nothing but bad, trouble, grief, and shame.

Application:

It is good to realize that even some of God's most powerful and accurate prophets struggled with times of wanting to quit. The Bible is beautiful in that it doesn't hide these things or soften them. We can see how people really felt in the Scriptures. For my application, I must admit that there are times I feel like Jeremiah and wish I could have done something else. There are times when I struggle because things have not happened like I wanted them to. There are times when I struggle because I feel like I have failed as a leader because people aren't following. My application today is that when I feel like that, I realize that Jeremiah and other incredible people of God had their days of struggle as well. 

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making Your word real and honest about the lives of those in the pages. You didn't hide anything. You show us how they really felt. Thank You for being with me all the days of my life. Forgive me when I complain to You, and help me to remain faithful to all You ask of me. Help me keep a right perspective during times of trial and change. 

Yours Forever,
Jeff