There is something about a servant of the Lord who perseveres through difficult and "dry" times and doesn't give up. If you decide, with prayer, that you are going to serve in a ministry - almost always, you will get opposition from the enemy. In fact, if you don't ever feel opposition, you may be way off in what you think you are doing for Jesus.
Like the Sunday School teacher (although we don't call them that anymore, so should I say: Small Group Leader) who faithfully facilitates and brings the Word week after week, month after month, and year after year. Or the person who greets or works in the parking ministry or serves in the children's ministry (true heroes). And does so even though there are times and seasons where ministry is hard.
Too often people are ready to give up. They tell themselves, It is time to stop and move on to someone else. Or worse, they justify a sabbatical. What they really need to do is Man Up or Woman Up (is Woman Up a term? Hmm.) The enemy is really good at trying to derail us and get us to quit. It's in those times, we need to remind ourselves of why we signed up to serve in the first place.
Granted, I understand there are times when one is so beat-up that they need time for healing. And there are some who disqualify themselves. In those cases, a time away to restore your personal walk is appropriate. But, by far most of the time, we have to remind ourselves of what Paul said, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
If your service to the Lord seems to be hitting a wall or you just don't see much fruit, go to someone in your life that can give you godly counsel. Who will pray with you, encourage you and help you discern your spiritual gifting and how you can best move forward as you edify the body. Hang in there. Good things come to those who never quit...in His grip.
Philippians 3:14
Coach's tip - Yes, it's going to be hard. If it wasn't, it wouldn't matter.
Wits End - What's Going Into Your Head?