For starters, I want to ask you do you volunteer, work, or serve in your local church? Do you run your own ministry (i.e. non-profit organization, blog, brand, or social media platform)? If you answered yes to any of these examples, then I want to encourage you to keep reading, because this is the post for you dear co-laborer. I want to speak directly to pressing through ministry responsibilities when you’re feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or maybe even a little overcommitted.
Let me just say, I know what it’s like to have God-ordained assignments at church and/or in your personal ministry, and find yourself asking, “Lord, how am I going to be able to do all of this?” I need to add here, that it's also a good practice to reassess to see if you're actually doing a God-thing or a good thing. In other words, we have to be careful that we don't take on additional responsibilities that have nothing to do with God's will or this particular season.
When God has called us to do something, He will give us the grace, wisdom, and energy that's needed for the task. Our job at that point is to stay in prayer (connection with the One who knows all that we can accomplish) and follow His divine flow for the project and the day. The Bible tells us in Psalm 37:23, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
With that being said, following God’s lead as we work on an assigned task or responsibility at church, volunteer opportunity, or even in our own ministries, will be crucial to finishing whatever we’re working on unto completion and well.
I’ll tell you, just last week, I not only had a full work week, but one of the days was jammed packed, sister! Throughout the day, I felt my body growing more and more fatigued (ever been there before?). Yet, since I'd already committed to doing what was on my schedule, I took some time to pray and ask the Lord to help me press through what needed to get done.
Well, guess what?
Do you know the Lord stepped in supernaturally and moved two appointments that were scheduled to another day? WOW! Go God!
That supernatural shift opened up space in my day for what I believe, God wanted me to devote more attention towards. I truly felt His amazing grace! It was unmerited favor. Because it wasn’t like I’d done something special to deserve those extra free hours. He just knew! And I received it with much thanks and praise! Trust me.
Now, let me tell you. Sometimes you and I will have to work with the time allotted that is given to us to show up for something that we’ve agreed to do - whether that’s an ongoing ministry commitment, a weekly Bible Study that we lead, rehearsal at church, or standing meeting that we simply can’t miss. And that’s typically when we need to pray and ask the Lord for supernatural strength to press on beyond our feelings, fatigue, or shortcomings.
That's when you'll need to allow the Lord to give you what you need in that moment. Because if you go in with the wrong mindset (attitude), then it’s not going to be good for anyone, including you. So my advice when you know that you have stuff to work on or you’ve committed to do something in ministry, try these…
Go to bed earlier
If you get in bed by 10:30pm at night, you will have the energy that you’ll need to kick off the tasks for the day and rest of the week.
Block your time
Whatever you need to accomplish today or tomorrow (I’m not sure when you’re reading this post), consider having a “time-blocked” schedule. Meaning from 9am-10am, you may work on responding to emails and inbox messages on your social media platforms, 10:15am – 11:15am you may have a meeting, 11:30am – 12:30pm could be your lunch break, and from 12:45pm to 3:00pm you could start working on research or ministry tasks. Got the point, here? Thisis blocking your time as you press through your ministry responsibilities.
Take a quick nap
If you’re getting off work or shutting down your work for the day (for those of you who work from home), consider taking a quick nap before you run off to your evening Bible Study, a meeting, start working on another assignment or task, or tending to your home-life. Get that power nap or cat nap if you can squeeze it in. Sometimes this is all you need to get you through the rest of the day or evening. But if you can't...press my sister. God will give you the strength to see you through. And before you know it, you'll be done or back at home for that hot shower or relaxing bubble bath. Ahh...
Pray before you commit
Before you say “yes” to another thing, pray. Check your calendar. Tell people that you will get back to them to let them know for sure. Don’t make quick decisions without weighing everything out. Because once you say yes, you’re committed. You’re in! (And you want to be a woman of your word). So even if it hurts, you’ll want to remain loyal and faithful to the one whom you said, yes to. However, this isn’t written in stone. I know life happens and we all make mistakes of overcommitting or overbooking. Yet, my point here is to pray and weigh your yes(s). ;-)
Plan your week
Try to layout your week ahead of time. Think about everything that you’ll need to do or attend, early. Try doing this on Sunday evening, if you can. For instance, everything from devotion, to what you’re going to wear, meal planning/prep, ministry schedule, meetings, research, your tasks and deadlines, rehearsals (if any), exercise, kids schedule, hubby-to-do-list, errands, and down time for you.
Listen, sis. I feel you! I know what it’s like to grind hard and show up for all of the ministry responsibilities and commitments made, even when you feel depleted. And granted, we’re not always tired. Yet, for the sake of this post, I’m leaning in more on this angle, because this is when you need to press (when you're fatigued). I would add, even when you’re going through hard tests and trials in your life - while you do what you’re called to do.
The enemy is not happy about our Kingdom work! If he can get us stressed out, depleted, and wanting to give up, he will definitely do his part. So watch out for him, sis! Remember, he’s prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (see 1 Peter 5:8). He wants us to throw in the towel, wave the white flag, and say, “I’m done!” But NO! We can’t do it!
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Amen!
So keep pressing my sister! We’ve got work to do. But let’s fulfill each task or responsibility through unceasing prayer, asking for God’s wisdom, grace, and strength; while also knowing our yes’ and no’s, getting the proper rest, and working diligently and efficiently.
“So, my dear brother and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” ~1 Corinthians 15:58
"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, wherever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone -especially to those in the family of faith." ~Galatians 6:9-10
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
