The article below was written by Collette Toach. You may go to her page if you want to find more good articles for women. www.esther-effect.com
When you hear the word "Apostle" or "Minister of God" you imagine someone in front of the pulpit taking in all the glory. Trust me when I say, that the real work of ministry is not done up front, wearing your favorite suit, looking good. The real ministry is done in the trenches. One on one counsel, prayer and laboring with people. I enjoy this aspect of ministry a lot, but there is one time when I want to run a mile from it. It took just one person to create this pretty bad impression in me. We had started ministering to a group of folks that were hungry for the truth. In this group though was an individual that just would not leave us alone. They came up to us after each meeting, asking questions. They would grab any moment they could to receive ministry, going so far as to knock on our door early one morning 'just to chat.' Now I just LOVE folks who are hungry to learn, but this was not such a person.
This person was needy. They did not really take and apply what we taught them. They simply wanted to come to us, because they felt good around us. They wanted us to be there to keep making them feel good, instead of going to the Lord. Unfortunately that is just one of the realities of ministry and as a leader you learn to keep pouring out and praying that eventually they will 'get it.'
Let's be honest though. No one likes to be around needy people! You know the type. They are the ones at church that go around just wanting everyone to say nice things to them. They are the ones, that if you show interest, start to follow you around. You see them coming one way and you want to run in the other. Now I do not blame you for it, but let us drive this point home.
What if ...YOU were such a person? Could you imagine it? You see, when it comes to both marriage and ministry, there is no room for this kind of neediness. In fact it is the number one cause of rejection. Now I know, we all have needs. Especially as a woman. You have a need to feel loved and appreciated. When you make an effort to look good, you need your husband to notice! More than anything, we need to feel adored and that we hold a special place in the hearts of our men.
BUT ...
What if no one is meeting this need? You see, that is the problem when you keep looking to others to meet that need. You become like a ravenous wolf that just wants to take all of the time. You are so consumed with how you feel, that you no longer see what others are going through.
The Result ...
The result is not pretty at all. Instead of getting the love you need, you get rejected. Instead of being appreciated, no one notices. You feel more and more depressed. So let me challenge you today. Instead of sitting in a little hole and having a pity party, ask yourself this question:
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Your first course of action is to run to the Lord. You know He is tender and He appreciates you. He is also a very patient listener. Go and pour out all your complaints and sorrows to Him. Take time to hear His voice again. Get filled up. Then step out of that place and take Him with you. Then do something radical. Instead of wanting to have your own needs met, look at your husband or family and think about how you can bless them. Notice THEIR needs and see what you can do to meet them. Meet your husband's needs and you will trigger off something quite miraculous. You will find that your need really is met. Do you want to know what the best part about all of this is? You will be a nice person to be around again! You will no longer get rejected. You will stand as a light for others to be drawn to. Come on, why not dump the "needy thing" and get on track with the "giving thing." It will turn your life around and make you a queen wherever you go.
This person was needy. They did not really take and apply what we taught them. They simply wanted to come to us, because they felt good around us. They wanted us to be there to keep making them feel good, instead of going to the Lord. Unfortunately that is just one of the realities of ministry and as a leader you learn to keep pouring out and praying that eventually they will 'get it.'
Let's be honest though. No one likes to be around needy people! You know the type. They are the ones at church that go around just wanting everyone to say nice things to them. They are the ones, that if you show interest, start to follow you around. You see them coming one way and you want to run in the other. Now I do not blame you for it, but let us drive this point home.
What if ...YOU were such a person? Could you imagine it? You see, when it comes to both marriage and ministry, there is no room for this kind of neediness. In fact it is the number one cause of rejection. Now I know, we all have needs. Especially as a woman. You have a need to feel loved and appreciated. When you make an effort to look good, you need your husband to notice! More than anything, we need to feel adored and that we hold a special place in the hearts of our men.
BUT ...
What if no one is meeting this need? You see, that is the problem when you keep looking to others to meet that need. You become like a ravenous wolf that just wants to take all of the time. You are so consumed with how you feel, that you no longer see what others are going through.
The Result ...
The result is not pretty at all. Instead of getting the love you need, you get rejected. Instead of being appreciated, no one notices. You feel more and more depressed. So let me challenge you today. Instead of sitting in a little hole and having a pity party, ask yourself this question:
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Your first course of action is to run to the Lord. You know He is tender and He appreciates you. He is also a very patient listener. Go and pour out all your complaints and sorrows to Him. Take time to hear His voice again. Get filled up. Then step out of that place and take Him with you. Then do something radical. Instead of wanting to have your own needs met, look at your husband or family and think about how you can bless them. Notice THEIR needs and see what you can do to meet them. Meet your husband's needs and you will trigger off something quite miraculous. You will find that your need really is met. Do you want to know what the best part about all of this is? You will be a nice person to be around again! You will no longer get rejected. You will stand as a light for others to be drawn to. Come on, why not dump the "needy thing" and get on track with the "giving thing." It will turn your life around and make you a queen wherever you go.
