What to Do When You Are Weary and Losing Heart

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.Hebrews 12:3The Bible is such a practical book. It speaks to the realities of our lives. And it’s saying to us: Look, here you are as a disciple of Jesus and you're living in a difficult world. Following Christ isn’t easy, and ministry brings many pressures.Here’s what that means: You’ll be in constant danger of growing weary. And when discouragements begin to pile up, you’ll feel that you’re losing heart. How do you face up to that feeling of being worn out? How do you overcome the perpetual battle of the Christian life and the ongoing struggles and pressures of ministry?Here’s how you sustain yourself. Here’s how you make sure that you do not grow weary. Here’s how you make sure that you do not lose heart: You consider Christ and all that He suffered. You ponder the opposition and the hostility that Jesus faced from sinful men, and all that He endured, and all that He persevered through.The practical effect of doing this in your own life is that you will not grow weary and you will not lose heart. Meditation on the sufferings of Jesus will sustain you in ministry, and it will strengthen you as a follower of Christ.Have you ever intentionally pondered the sufferings of Jesus? If so, what kind of impact did this exercise have on you?