5 Ways to Keep Your Joy in Ministry

The servant leaders who make the greatest impact on lives are those who
have a genuinely joyful spirit. Joy is both compelling and contagious.
Furthermore, the joy of the Lord is strengthening to us. Nehemiah 8:10 says,
the joy of the Lord is your strength.
So how to keep joy as you serve?

Focus on the Cross. There is no discouragement so deep that a look to

the Cross cant renew our perspective. When your joy is slipping, consider
Christ, thank Him for His love, and remember you are serving Him. Only a
close and growing walk with the Lord can sustain joy through the varied
seasons of ministry. John 3:16, 1 Cor. 1:18-19

Confess known sin. Guilt is a joy-sapper, there seems to be a common

connection in men between being full of anger and having ongoing, hidden
moral sin. Daily ask the Lord to search your heart, and always respond to His
conviction. Keep short accounts with God, and do whatever is necessary to
keep your heart right with others. Prov. 28:13, 1 John 1:9

Thank someone. There is something encouraging about being an

encouragement! Jot a quick thank you note to someone who has invested in
your life. Send thank you flowers to your spouse. Tell one of your children
how thankful you are for them and thank them for a positive quality you see
in their life. 1 Thess. 5:18

Take regular breaks from your routine. Sometimes we forget that

our emotions are as attached to our bodies as they are to our spirits. If
youre not taking time to rest and eat properly, it will eventually catch up to
you. Look for ways to break up your routine a bit. If youre at a desk all day,
just standing up for ninety seconds to stretch can be helpful. Take a brief
moment to mentally turn from the project in front of you and purposefully
focus on the Lord. Heb. 4:9 -12

Clear away distractions for a period of time. God made us

people, not machines. Consequently, we need rest. On your day off, enjoy
the day. Spend time with your family. Engage in a hobby. Take a walk. Sleep
in. And sometimes, do something fun, just for the sake of having fun. Do
whatever you need to do to stay joyful in your spirit. Matt. 11:28 - 30