Search Results

If you're in ministry, here are 10 thoughts about dealing with difficult people: 1- People will take out their frustrations with God on you, shooting the messenger (hopefully only figuratively). It's not always something you did or didn't do, so fight against taking everything personal (that's DIFFICULT). 2- The parable of the lost sheep is a great parable about the worth of one person, but it's a terrible ministry model. Don't let the errors and waywardness of one sheep cause you not to shepherd the other sheep well. Sometimes we must turn people over to the Lord and let the Great Shepherd chase after them. We aren't God, and we can't do it all. Your flock still needs you and your limited ability and availability because God put you there for them and who has yet to come. 3- Someone hurting you isn't an excuse to become hard hearted. We hear about and remember the planes that crash, but the thousands of successful flights often go unnoticed and unremembered. When someone crashes, remember all the people who are flying right and rejoice in that. Be thankful for all that is going right, even if it's a few things. 4- Be the deader person. When people attack your character, our flesh wants to come alive and lash out to get revenge so we can clear our name; don't do it. Don't resurrect what you killed to live for Christ. Kill the flesh, live for Christ, and let God avenge your name. Your character will show over time. Plus, God is your judge, not them. 5- God called you, you didn't sign up for it. God called you, so He wants you, and since He called you, He will strengthen and sustain you. Satan will work to convince you that it's time to quit when you experience hurt from beloved people, but keep with God because He will perfect you through it. We can always fo further than what we think because of the Spirit's work in us. Cry, weep, get counseling, rest, etc., just don't quit. 6- Find joy in the trial. Suffering for Christ is an opportunity to know better, grow through, and trust in Christ more. Find the courage to see this as an opportunity to become more like Christ. 7- If you blew it, own it. Sometimes we blow it because we aren't perfect, so be authentic enough to own it and grow from it. Apologize, confess, repent, and seek reconciliation when and with whom you can. 8- No one owes us anything. Just because we are ministers does not mean people should serve, give, love us, or owe us anything. As ministers, we are the servants, leading others by serving - as Christ served. We are nothing without God, and seeing every support as a blessing will save us from frustration and ungratefulness. 9- There will be more good and bad. God calls us to minister to sinners who, through Christ, become Saints. Everyone is in a journey, each journey looks different, and that means good days and bad. Expect fluctuation but fight agains pessimism. 10- Keep farming and trusting God. Some of us plow the soul, some of us sow the seed, some of us water, some of us tend to weeds, some of us fight off the bugs, and some of us harvest, all at different times in multiple lives. Regardless of our part in farming, rejoice in God using you as a part of His work, and keep going, knowing some harvests come after long and dry summers.

AUDIO

More From The Sunday Morning Quarterback

THE SUNDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK THE SUNDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK 5 Pastors Who Love Ministry, Leadership , & Sports John richardson Lead Pastor North Run Baptist Church Joe frejosky Lead Pastor Charlotte Road Baptist Church DR.JOSEPH FREJOSKY Associate Pastor Burning Bush Baptist Church DR. ADAM DENNY Lead Pastor North Run Baptist Church PAUL S. LASO North GA Campus Pastor Brainerd Baptist Church

Joseph Frejosky Associate Pastor, Burning Bush Baptist Church Host of the SMQB Jenn Kish Author, Speaker Co-Host o f AAE Joe Frejosky Lead Pastor Charlotte Road Baptist Church Co-Host o f the SMQB Emily Byrd Teacher, Stay At Home Mother Co-Host o f AAE Dr.Adam Denny Lead Pastor North Run Baptist Church Co-Host Laso North GA Campus Pastor Brainerd Baptist Church Co-Host of the SMQB Pam Frejosky Children's Director Charlotte Road Baptist Church Cheatham County Administrator of Elections John Richardson Lead Pastor

Ryan Ralston Lead Pastor, Fort Baptist Church 10 Thoughts About Dealing With Difficult People If you're