I get to talk with pastors and other ministry leaders for a living.

It’s a privilege to walk alongside these men and women, and listen to their joys and heartaches, their hopes and fears, their victories and defeats. Wonderful people, each one of them.

Yet for a significant percentage of this group, discouragement is an unwelcome companion. Some are discouraged about not having enough leaders and workers. Others are worried about the church budget. Some pastors are unhappy with their attendance trajectory. Discouragement left unchecked can cause leaders to doubt their calling, capability, and value. Some even prematurely exit ministry due to a growing sense of hopelessness.

The Bible is full of stories about men and women who battled discouragement. When you read the Scriptures, you learn the following pretty quickly: even when you have an awesome calling from God, it doesn’t immunize you from discouragement.

Elijah was called by God to be a prophet. In 1 Kings 19 he was the main character in one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s power in history—fire from heaven that consumed the sacrifices on the altar, proving the God of Israel was the one true God.

John the Baptist saw heaven open when he baptized Jesus. He witnessed with his own eyes the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove, and heard with his own ears the audible voice of God the Father. Elijah and John had incredible callings and powerful ministries, but if you know their story, you understand they struggled with severe discouragement from time to time. Elijah was so down he asked God to kill him, and John the Baptist was so discouraged in prison he sent his followers to ask Jesus: “Are you really the Messiah?”

Understanding God’s call on your life and getting to live out that calling is fulfilling. Doing what you love to do, are gifted to do, and are passionate about is amazing. But calling, gifting, and passion don’t exempt us from discouraging seasons.

There are days (hopefully not most days) where you may wonder: “God, are You sure I’m the right guy/girl for the job?” “Was I hallucinating when I sensed Your call on my life?” I think discouragement occasionally happens to anyone doing anything of significance for God. It’s not unusual.

So what can you do when this inevitable enemy pushes its unwelcome presence into your life? How can you beat discouragement?

Take the long view

Every leader has a bad day occasionally. The temptation to obsess over what’s going wrong today can make you think every day will be the same. When a lousy day happens, when people disappoint you, when you disappoint you, keep running your race. God has called you to a marathon, not a sprint. Take the long view. By the way, discouragement may actually be proof you’re on a path the devil is worried about.

Take the rear view

Take a step back and look at how far you’ve come. Celebrate your progress. Thank God for all of the open doors, the wins, the learning points, and the lives touched. I suspect you’ll find yourself encouraged. When King David was at a low point in his calling—so low in fact his men wanted to whack him (I’m 50% Italian… so when I say whack, you know what I mean)—the Scripture tells us David encouraged himself in the Lord. When I get discouraged, I open my prayer journal and read entries describing how God has answered prayers or provided miraculously, and discouragement starts to fade.

Take the upward view

God is the Ultimate Encourager. You are not in your calling alone. He is with you. He will bring growth if you faithfully plant and water. And the growth may not always be numerically significant (at least in your own eyes.) Look for what God is trying to teach you in the challenging seasons. Spend time fixing your eyes, heart, and mind on Him. On His sufficiency. His power. His propensity for abundance toward you. Remember your name is written in the book of life. Everything else is gravy.

Take the side view

When discouragement darkens your door and you can’t shake it, call on trusted friends to come alongside you. The devil wants to isolate you so he can crush you. Don’t play his game. Try community instead.  Healthy relationships give you clearer perspective. When you share a burden with a trusted friend, the burden is automatically cut in half.  When you try to carry it on your own, discouragement can take over, and grow out of proportion to reality. According to a Barna Study published in January 2017, 66% of lead pastors in the United States have no close friends. If we want to beat discouragement, we need friends at our side.

Elijah and John the Baptist had incredible callings. God used them powerfully to influence people. They’ve been revered throughout history as prime examples of what it means to follow the call of God. And they both experienced occasional bouts of significant discouragement. If you’re suffering similarly today, you’re in good company. Take the long view, the rear view, the upward view, and the side view. And you’ll put discouragement where it belongs… under your feet.

I’m rooting and praying for you!