#3 – Spend Lots Of Time Encouraging Other People
No one ever got angry at another person because they encouraged them too much.
I have found that when I am discouraged that is does my soul well to dig deep and find ways to encourage other people…because in this Jesus usually teaches me three things…
The first is – it’s not about me!
The second is – it’s not about me!
And the third is – it’s not about me!
When we find ourselves in a pit of discouragement we can often believe that others should see where we are and do all they can to get us out…
But reality is no one knows what you are thinking and how you are feeling…and when we expect people to read our minds/feelings we are setting ourselves up for failure.
BUT…when we can look past ourselves and actually begin to speak well of others–despite the fact that we are wrestling through some hard issues–we create an environment where encouragement can be given because we are the ones who actually stepped up and led the way.
(Quick note…if you are discouraged and are feeling overwhelmed…the BEST thing to do is get your team around you and just be honest! One of the reasons many leaders feel discouraged is because they think people know exactly how they are feeling…and they don’t. A leader HAS to be honest with the team he serves with about what is going on in his life!)
#4 – Get Some Rest
One of the main reasons I deal with discouragement is because I run at unsustainable paces so many times…and as a result I get tired.
A leader can NEVER underestimate how important rest is!!!
The problem is, especially with a driven leader, that guilt is usually HUGE when rest is taken…
I once heard someone say, “the devil never takes a day off…why should I?” BUT…the last I checked the devil isn’t supposed to be our example!
Rested and refreshed leaders are essential in the church!!!
