Discouragement Encouragement

As you know, I've been reading Doug Fields' book Your First Two Years In Youth Ministry and it is SO good. There is so much truth in it- I find myself, instead of taking notes, just copying down the entire book in my journal. Makes for great memorization, but difficult on the hands.

I just finished reading the chapter on dealing with discouragement, and it was really eye-opening. I won't go into all the details (because you definitely need to read this book yourself...and then give a copy to someone you know in youth ministry), but I did want to share some of the insight revealed to me in some of the end-of-chapter discussion questions.

Do you have a thoughtful plan for dealing with discouragement? If so, what is it?
   1. Go to God. Spend time in prayer and in scripture, finding my encouragement and fulfillment in who He is, not in who I am or what I do.
   2. Go back through my journal(s). Remind myself of God's faithfulness, support, and sovereignty.
   3. Go through my Affirmation Folder (Fields encourages you to keep notes or letters of affirmation you receive about your ministry) (Because Words of Affirmation is my primary love language, this is an especially powerful step). Remind myself that others are affected by my ministry, even when I don't feel adequate.
    4. Go to a mentor. Remind myself that I'm not on this journey alone, and as I make myself available to encourage others, so they will do the same for me. We are, together, the body of Christ, and where the hands cannot be the feet, the feet can rise up for support when called upon. 1 Cor. 12:12-27.

Do you have days throughout the week when you consciously get alone time in order to get refreshed?
   God has been waking me up super early every morning to spend time with me. It is delicious. This has and will continue to be my habit. I COULD, however, use more alone time throughout my day. In the midst of working two+ jobs and doing full-time ministry, my days are long and very busy. Alone time does not only mean reading my bible, though. Here are other ways in which I can spend alone time for refreshment:
      *watching tv/movie
      *taking myself to the movies
      *going to the gym/working out at home/going on a run
      *reading for pleasure
      *knitting
      *taking someone else's yoga class
      *sitting outside, enjoying the weather
      *sitting in a coffee shop
      *going on a walk/hike by myself
      *going on a walk/hike with a friend
      *scrapbooking
This is not an exhaustive list, simply an introduction to the idea of "Me Time." I can add to it as needed or desired.

Doug Fields says that discouragement ebbs and flows like an ocean tide. It isn't simply battled and overcome one time, and then the rest of your life is a breeze. I need to be ready for it whenever it decides to attack (which will always be untimely, painful, lonely, and selfish). But I do feel that I have a prepared plan of defense for when it comes to call. I encourage you to do the same. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and when you have a bad day, you won't be caught unawares, but ready for whatever may come.