Your First Two Years In Youth Ministry

I've been reading this book by Doug Fields (see title of blog post), and it is full of some really incredible truths. This is something I came across this evening, and it spoke to me so deeply I had to share:

(When discouragement overwhelms you)

Welcome Christ's suffering

If I'm praying to be like Jesus...if I believe the greatest aim of youth ministry is to reflect Christ...if I truly believe youth ministry is "incarnational," then I must participate with Christ in His suffering. I can't expect to be like Jesus and only experience His joy, peace, wisdom, and power. He'll also let me feel discouragement, frustration, sorrow, and heartache-- just like He does.

Wow. If I really believe that-- if I really do want to imitate Christ, as scripture encourages and compels me to do... I should embrace every feeling He experienced, just as He embraces every feeling I experience.