In seminary we pastors in training were encouraged to establish and to maintain an "encouragement file." We were instructed to do so realizing that every pastor (and every Christian for that matter) goes through high highs and low lows. Even our President and beloved Pastor John MacArthur had his own Black Tuesday mutiny, a messy church split, and various outside his own congregation (Roys) attacks to overcome and endure.
Since ministry is intensely relational your greatest joys and greatest sorrows will involve people. During prolonged seasons of hardship you men (pastors) will be tempted to throw in the ministry towel. We were reminded that often after a season of prolonged blessing God ordains a season of pain and loss. Elijah the prophet is case and point. This faithful "man of God" went from experiencing the heights of supernatural victory via the showdown on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), to being severely depressed and overcome with fear (1 Kings 19), to the degree he threw in the ministry towel and asked God to end his life.
The Lord reminds Elijah, and all of His frail servants, that you may be in the minority but you are never alone. The Lord your God is always with you and He promises to preserve a faithful remnant. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. We are not alone! God is with us and for us (Rom. 8:28-39)! May Christ Jesus alone be our all in all (2 Cor. 12). His grace truly is sufficient for all things!
Today I found great encouragement reviewing some of these "timely words fitly spoken" in my encouragement file.
