In a world that often prioritizes personal fulfillment and happiness, it’s easy to forget that God’s ultimate goal for us is holiness. Our culture is centered on success, recognition, and the pursuit of fulfilling our “passion,” but these things are often fleeting, influenced by circumstances and seasons. As women in church leadership, we will inevitably face seasons where we want to quit or question our calling altogether. In those moments, God is seeking something deeper than what we do or can achieve. He isn’t as concerned with our happiness as we are. God is after something deeper: our holiness.
Holiness isn’t about being perfect or reaching a certain level of success. It’s about aligning our hearts and minds with God’s will and pursuing a life that reflects His character. And let’s be honest—this journey is rarely smooth. It’s filled with ups and downs, victories and failures.
Leading Through Mundane Seasons
Many of us find ourselves in long seasons of mundane tasks and routine responsibilities. There are parts to our jobs and ministries that don’t feel particularly fulfilling or productive. Whether it’s printing handouts, putting in attendance, or setting up and taking down events, these tasks can often feel monotonous and unrewarding.
While these mundane tasks may not be glamorous or exciting, they are essential for the health and growth of our ministries. Everyone, from the most seasoned leader to the newest volunteer, has to deal with these less-than-glamorous aspects of their work. It’s how we respond to these seasons that matters.
- Find joy in the small things: Look for opportunities to praise God in the midst of everyday tasks.
- Seek God’s graces: God is showing up in big and small ways. Keep a journal or list of how you see Him working.
- Mix it up: If you hate doing a mundane task, make sure you schedule in between things that fuel you. How you schedule your tasks can play a huge role in working through your day.
Leading Through Difficult Seasons
Difficult seasons can be challenging, but they can also be powerful catalysts for growth. When faced with adversity, we are forced to confront our fears, weaknesses, and limitations. These challenges can push us to our limits, but they can also reveal our inner strength and resilience.
- Embrace the struggle: Don’t shy away from difficult situations. Our limits are good and help us to rely on faith instead of ourselves.
- Resilience: Overcoming challenges can help us build resilience and develop a “never give up” attitude. This resilience can be invaluable in other areas of our lives.
- Trust in God’s plan: Often where and what we turn to in difficult situations reveals where our trust really is. We can rely on our own abilities, seek out financial security, or manipulate relationships to feel more in control and these all come up lacking. Difficulty leads to faith.
Leading Through Failed Seasons
Failure is a part of life. Even the most successful leaders have experienced setbacks and disappointments.
- Learn from your mistakes: Failure is an opportunity for growth. By analyzing our mistakes, we can gain valuable insights and identify areas where we need to improve.
- Confess and receive: Confession helps us acknowledge our shortcomings and seek God’s forgiveness. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that God’s grace is sufficient for us.
- Seek community: Surrounding ourselves with supportive and encouraging people can make a significant difference in our lives. They can offer guidance, support, and accountability, and remind us of God’s love and mission.
Remember, God is not after our happiness; He is after our holiness. And holiness is often forged in the fires of adversity. So, let’s embrace the challenges we face, trust in God’s plan, and persevere in our faith. For it is in the crucible of difficulty that we are truly transformed into the image of Christ.
This article originally appeared here.
