Our calling is both sacred and emotionally taxing. At times, we all experience feelings of discouragement, often referred to as the blues. Sometimes, I experience these “down days” without even knowing the reason. When those “blue” days come, here are some steps to help you process and press on:
1. Be Honest with Your Feelings
Suppressing your emotions can deepen discouragement. David, a man after God’s heart, poured out his soul in the Psalms. If he could say, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5), so can you. Being honest opens the door to healing and Divine comfort.
2. Take Time Away from the Office
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself and your congregation is to rest. Step away from the constant demands and recharge. Even Jesus withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16). A short sabbatical, a peaceful retreat, or simply a day off can bring clarity and restoration.
3. Spend Time Praying and Singing to the Lord
I have discovered that praise breaks through the heaviness. When you shift your focus to God’s goodness, something in your spirit begins to lift. Prayer and worship reconnect you with the source of joy and strength. Sing aloud, sing Scripture, sing hymns that have carried saints through dark nights.
4. Count Your Many Blessings
Gratitude is a powerful weapon against despair. Take a journal or make a note on your phone and begin listing the ways God has been faithful to you. Big and small, every answered prayer, every soul saved, every moment of His provision that comes to mind. This spiritual discipline realigns your heart with hope and reminds you of God’s faithfulness.
5. Go Back to Your Calling
When discouragement clouds your mind, revisit the moment God called you into ministry. Remember the burning passion, the conviction, the open doors, and the quiet whisper of His voice. You’re not in this to gain the applause of people. You’re in it because the Lord appointed and anointed you. His approval is enough (Galatians 1:10).
6. Get Busy Serving Others
I have found one of the best ways to lift my spirit is to serve. Visit someone in the hospital, call a lonely member, or deliver a meal to a struggling family. Ministry to others often shifts my focus from myself to the needs of others. As Paul reminds us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Feeling blue is normal. Even Elijah, after a great victory, sat under a tree and asked God to take his life. But God wasn’t finished with him, and He’s not finished with you either. Let the Lord minister to your soul, and in time, He will restore your joy, renew your vision, and refuel your heart for the journey ahead.
This article was written by state missionary Rob Jackson.