What if I mess up?

[tinkerbell]

Hello,
I am a theology student in college presently. I am taking a lot of ministry classes this semester and they have gotten me thinking. This is a career that is very rewarding in so many ways, but there is also so much trust placed in and on you. What if I am having a bad day spiritually and I am not in tune with God that day and a soul is lost because of it? What if I give bad guidance or advice? Have any of you struggled with these questions?

 

[guitarchick]

i think everyone has those thoughts, no matter if they're taking all these ministry classes or just goin to school and so on. don't dwell on the bad, don't dwell on what if i mess up questions...what good will that do?

 

[altya]

No one is perfect and we all fall short of the Glory of God. I have made many mistakes in my life but I cannot put my talent away because of this.

 

[Mavrick]

Hi tinkerbell!!

Well, I can tell you how I handle it when I muff up…. And yes, it WILL happen. It does to ALL of us.

I simply say:

"Last month I went in for my annual physical. I had the doctor run every test under the sun… blood work, EEG, EKG, MRI, head to toe, inside and out. I FINALLY got all the results back last week. It was conclusive. I… I really hate to say this, but the tests, well, they all showed it to be true. Yep, it’s temrminal, and there’s no cure for it. I’m……. (sobbing here is good if you can do it) I’m… ONLY HUMAN!!!"

For some reason, I get some really NASTY looks when I do this, but it makes my point.

Look, all joking aside, there will be times when you make mistakes. Just remember that God is a fogiving God. No matter how bad you muff it, He will forgive you. It’s the people around you that do not do this. And that is the hardest thing. Admit your mistake, apologize where needed, and move on. If the people bring it up again, remind them that you did what God told you to. If they choose NOT to forgive you, they will have to answer to God for that. Keep on with your work, and forget it. That’s all I can tell you.

God Bless!!

Mav

 

[tinkerbell]

I guess I know that I will mess up and all and I know that God will forgive me, my big question is really is it normal for theo majors to have these feelings, or am I just really weird?

 

[P_G]

Hello,
I am a theology student in college presently. I am taking a lot of ministry classes this semester and they have gotten me thinking. This is a career that is very rewarding in so many ways, but there is also so much trust placed in and on you. What if I am having a bad day spiritually and I am not in tune with God that day

Remember this; If you are really off keel for a day then take yourself out of the game. YOU get right with God! Sometimes the best coucil your going to give is "I am going to take some prayer time and I will see you tommorow"

Then you go and pray and get on your face before the Lord. You need a season of refreshing. You also need rest. You also need to spend time with your wife! (That one was for me ) An exahausted, spirtually empty pastor is not going to do anyone much good!

and a soul is lost because of it? What if I give bad guidance or advice? Have any of you struggled with these questions?

OK so lets say you didn't take my wonderful advice - Hey no problem I have problems taking it my self sometimes .

Ask yourself this before you think YOU are personally able to "loose" a soul? That would make you more powerful that an all knowing all understanding God. Seems when we look at ourselves as the soul channel of salvation we walk the slippery slope of pride. Be humble in all things. You do your job - Let the Holy Ghost do his!


Blessings and study hard

Pastor George

 

[AfricaWim]

How did he get so wise!!

 

[flyfishing]

I guess I know that I will mess up and all and I know that God will forgive me, my big question is really is it normal for theo majors to have these feelings, or am I just really weird?

Actually tinkerbell expressing concerns over this is a very good thing. I have feelings of a similar nature that express themselves like LORD i dont want to bring dishonor to your name. If you are able to live in the truth of gal 2:20 you will be fine. Most important is to be solid learing not to trust in your feelings but have total faith in GODS word.

 

[Heartman]

You, me and Bobby GcGee! It is the Christian Human experience as a follower of God. Elijah brought fire down from heaven, killed all the prophets of baal, then hid in a cave for fear a woman would kill him. Unless you are stronger than him, I imagine you will do the same. Be Blessed Sister!

 

[ccunning001]

I guess I know that I will mess up and all and I know that God will forgive me, my big question is really is it normal for theo majors to have these feelings, or am I just really weird?

I think you are very normal. I have been a pastor for 7 months now. I have a B.S. Degree in Biology, no Seminiary yet. I was a youth pastor for about 5 years before this. So I can fully understand what you mean about making mistakes. It is very, very normal. You will actually feel that you are not capible of doing the job, that you couldn't of been called to the ministry. What I do when I get feeling that way is call one of my mentors and talk with them to make sure I am still doing the right thing. If I were you I would get a small group of people that you trust to help you when you get that way in ministry. One thing I have learned in the last 6 years of doing this is that it is very lonely sometimes. You need people outside your church (place of ministry) to talk to. Now is the time to find them.