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If you were to spend any time around the Fishhook office, it wouldn’t be long before you’d hear some sort of amazing perspective or insight that has the potential to change your life! I’m not here to brag about our team, but I think they’re pretty amazing! I literally have a couple sticky notes on my computer so I am constantly reminded of some of the great things I’m picking up along the way.

One such morsel recently came from Leah during a discussion we were having about pressing through challenging circumstances when we aren’t sure what to do.

She said, “I pray, I persevere and I look for possibilities.”

The statement was one that was somewhat of a passing comment that we didn’t spend much time discussing, but for whatever reason ... it stuck with me. As I’ve been considering this wisdom, I found myself thinking about it for you as a ministry leader as well.

Your work is full of joy in many seasons, but we can be honest here – it’s really hard sometimes too! Do you have times where you just feel like you don’t know what to do? 

People didn’t respond how you thought they would to what you planned.

God didn’t do that thing you were praying for.
Your team is dealing with conflict.

Somebody unexpectedly resigned.

You aren’t sure how to engage with the rapidly changing culture we live in.

The reasons we often feel stuck and uncertain about what to do are countless! So, what do you do when you find yourself here?

Pray. Persevere. Look for possibilities. 

James 1:2-5 says this:

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1 reinforces these truths about pressing through hard things, and the pastor in me wishes James would have listed these in the order of the alliterative phrase, but that’s alright, we’ll go out of order.

In verse 5, James says to pray - to ask God for wisdom, verse 3 encourages us to persevere when our faith is tested and verse 4 sees the possibility of growth and maturity.

So, what is the thing you’re facing today - in ministry, at home, in your relationships - where you simply don’t know what to do?

Pray!
Ask the Lord for wisdom. He promises to give it generously!

Persevere!
The Lord is doing more in you, in those around you and in whatever situation you’re facing than you can see.

Look for possibilities!
Where is the opportunity in the challenge? How can you and those around you grow to maturity through the challenges you’re facing?

Ministry and life are so full of both challenges and joy, but the good news is that we have a Good Father who is with us to provide what we need.

The Fishhook team is praying for you, persevering with you and we see SO many possibilities in the work you’re doing and the work we get to do together … so that people will know Jesus!