When Winning Feels Like Losing

Jacob Schmelzer
September 02, 2024

So, it’s my favorite time of the year!

Leaves are starting to change color…

And most importantly…it’s time for college football!

My beloved Oregon Ducks opened their season with a clunker of a game on Saturday.

We were favored to win by 40 and ended up only winning by 10.

Still a win!

But…

Myself and many other Duck faithful are hoping for a magical season…

So a close win against an inferior opponent left a sour taste in my mouth.

But it makes me think.

How often do we do this when it comes to ministry?

Maybe your Sunday attendance was flat?

Maybe the giving didn’t go up this year?

Maybe someone you were pouring into left the church?

And even though you know you’re “winning” it just doesn’t feel great…

I think a lot of us pastors end up living in a low-grade depression/discouragement because of unmet expectations.

But who’s putting those expectations on you?

Is it Jesus?

Nope!

He wants you to be FAITHFUL and to keep on going.

If you stay faithful it will lead to fruitfulness.

Think of the parable of the sower.

The sower sows the seed (the Word)…and the seed is GOOD.

But only 1/4 of the seed has lasting fruit!

That could easily make winning feel like losing…

But that’s ministry.

And that’s why we can’t tie our emotions, self-worth, and identity to expectations.

We build our hope, joy, and faith upon Jesus.

Keep being faithful.

Keep sowing and reaping!

You’re winning, pastor.

And if you want to learn how to plant more seed and reach more people I encourage you to check out my course: The Facebook Invitation System.

This simple, step by step video course shows you how I invite my city to church in less than 30 minutes using quick, easy, invite ads.

Oh, and don’t forget…

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But the giveaway only has a week to go!

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Then share the contest for more chances to win.

Talk soon,

Pastor Jake