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Pastoral Care Inc.

REFRESH newsletter: January 3, 2023

Theme: Overcoming Series: Adversity

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            PCI REFRESH: The Overcoming Adversity Toolbox for Pastors

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The Overcoming Series

Topic: Adversity

Believers are called to be overcomers. God empowers us to overcome such obstacles as fear, anxiety, anger, strife, and depression. Like everyone else, even pastors are vulnerable to such pitfalls. But pastors must stand firm and be spiritually strong, setting an example of what overcoming looks like.

This is the third installment of Pastoral Care Inc.’s “Overcoming Series.” In recent Refresh newsletters we have focused on how pastors can overcome anxiety and how pastors can overcome being overwhelmed. In this newsletter we give practical advice on how pastors can rise above and overcome the adversities we inevitably face.

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Overcoming Adversity

The Overcoming Adversity Toolbox for Pastors

by Jim Fuller

As we start 2023, most of us are reflecting on the previous year and making a few New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead. Unfortunately, many times we fail to achieve our resolutions, such as losing weight, being a better spouse, or accomplishing our ministry goals. We start the year with good intentions, but then life happens, throwing interference our way and causing us to fall short of our goals. 

That’s called adversity. Adversity is misfortune, hardship, calamity, distress. The root word for adversity literally means “opposition.” Sometimes it may feel like the whole world is opposing you. Adversity is whatever is standing between you and what you wish to accomplish. Pastor, we want to remind you of several tools you can use to remove adversity that is blocking the work God has called you to do. 

A little boy was walking home from school one day when he came upon an unusual scene. A too-tall truck was stuck under a bridge and blocking traffic both ways. A police officer and a firefighter were on the scene, trying to address the issue.

The firefighter sprayed foam under and on top of the truck to reduce the friction, but that did not help. The police officer called for a bigger truck to come pull the truck out, but that also did not work. Meanwhile, the mayor drove by, surveyed the situation, and called someone to bring a bulldozer to push the truck out. Nope, that didn’t work either.

While the three city officials were discussing what to do next, the little boy, who had watched the series of failed efforts with great interest, suggested that they let the air out of the truck’s tires. They gave the boy’s suggestion a try, and a few minutes later the truck was free.

The Overcoming Adversity Toolbox for Pastors

When a pastor experiences adversity, sometimes we get stuck and can’t find our way through. In frustration, we may try to solve the problem with a big truck or a bulldozer. However, when we are leading a church and working with people, those kinds of solutions often only make the problem bigger than it was. The best solution may be much simpler than that.

When I counsel pastors who are struggling with adversity, I often use the illustration of a toolbox. It gets a lot easier to solve the problem when we use the right tools. Here are 15 tools that every pastor should have in one’s toolbox when facing adversity.

1. Define the problem: What is it -- exactly -- that is in your way, keeping you from achieving your goal? Don’t jump straight into problem-solving mode before you understand the situation. When the problem involves people, the real problem is often a few layers below the surface.  You may be facing a spiritual obstacle.  We know that Satan is our adversary and would like nothing better than for us to not succeed.  Slow down, study the situation carefully, and define exactly what you are up against. 

2. Pray: Is it necessary to remind pastors to pray about the obstacles you are facing? From years of counseling pastors, I know that it is. Jesus said that some solutions come only through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).  Fasting is one way to show God that we are serious enough to make sacrifices when we want God to move that mountain.  

3. Embrace adversity as an opportunity: Life is full of adversity. Someone wisely said, “Adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.” A secret to success is the ability to embrace adversity as a chance to change ourselves and our circumstances. Approaching things with that attitude may transform how you see your situation.

4. Have achievable goals: Goals that are not achievable only bring frustration. Replace your goals with ones that are realistic and attainable. Break them down into smaller, more achievable step-goals. Set a realistic timeline for reaching the finish line.

5. Don’t blame or make excuses: Blaming people or circumstances never solves your problem. Making excuses doesn’t lead to success, either. Blaming and excuse-making are really just ways of giving up. Instead of giving up, be an overcomer. Keep on trying. Keep looking and praying for a solution. If you can’t eliminate the adversity, find a way to go around it to achieve your goal.

6. List possible solutions: Those city officials might have solved the problem of the stuck truck more quickly if they had paused to do a little brainstorming. When you face adversity, take the time to think of the possible solutions. If finances are the issue, take a hard look at your budget. If you are not succeeding at losing weight, list additional steps you are not using now. Have an open mind. Think outside the box. Seek the input of others. Ask God for a clear mind and for His direction. 

7. Eliminate noise: It is hard to focus on your goals when you are surrounded with noise and hindrances. If adversity is getting to you, take the time to find a quiet place, turn off your phone and other distractions, and think and pray about it. The ideal location may be on your knees on the front row of your worship center, or it may be taking a long walk -- anywhere that you can eliminate the noise that is preventing you from focusing.

8. Take time off: Sometimes a long walk is not enough. Don’t be the pastor who feels guilty when you take time off. Even God rested at the end of His busy week. Take time off on a regular basis. When you are off, take a break from thinking about your work, including the adversity you face. When you return to work you will have more physical and mental energy to overcome your obstacles.

9. Get help: Pastor, God doesn’t want you to carry the load yourself. By its very definition, doing church is a team sport. Give yourself permission to ask for help. Surround yourself with people who have a positive mindset and bring value to your tasks.

10. Be patient: Patience means being in control of your emotions and impulses, even when you face adversity. Patience means remaining calm when you face difficult situations. Maybe your goal is completely achievable, but it is your timeline that is unrealistic. Patience is not only an important key to success in any endeavor, it is also one of the fruit of the Spirit.

11. Celebrate progress: Some progress is better than none. If you have taken some steps in the right direction, celebrate far you have come. That will build your self-confidence and create momentum. 

12. Learn from your experience: When you stumble or experience a setback, learn from the things that did not work and keep moving forward. Thomas Edison tried literally thousands of materials for the filament of the first incandescent light bulb, before discovering that a carbonized cotton thread would work. He never quit. Edison quipped, “I have not failed 10,000 times -- I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”

13. Be optimistic: Optimism is an essential tool for any church leader and for any believer who wants to be an overcomer. Pastor, if you don’t have optimism, you need to get into the Word and down on your knees until you get some. And don’t underestimate the power of humor. A little humor during dark times can change your mental and spiritual outlook.

14. Believe in yourself: If God has called you to do it, if He has laid a particular goal on your heart, then you can do it. God would never call to do something that you can’t do. Remember, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

15. Keep trying: During the first two years of World War II, Germany made terrifying inroads across Europe, finally conquering France, just a few miles across the channel to the United Kingdom. In 1941, four years before Germany was defeated and three years before the Allied Invasion of Normandy, Winston Churchill declared:

“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never -- in nothing, great or small, large or petty -- never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Pastor, you are “fighting the good fight.” You face opposition from a vicious enemy. Sometimes the adversity you face may seem insurmountable. But if you have positioned yourself within God’s will, God has promised:

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. ... For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”  Isaiah 41:10-13

As with any toolbox, using the right tool is essential. If one of these tools is not working in your situation, go to another one that does work. The important thing is that we overcome and achieve our goals. There is great pride in accomplishing what we set out to do.

I know that being a pastor isn’t always easy; I am sure that you have your fair share of obstacles. I pray that you accomplish all that God has laid on your heart to do. I am so honored to be around so many wonderful pastors.

If you ever need help or encouragement, please remember that we at Pastoral Care Inc. are always here for you. Thank you for all you do for the Kingdom of God! Want to talk? Want me to pray with you? Call or email to Pastoral Care Inc., 918-758-4147 or at info@pastoralcareinc.org.