When Ministry Gets Hard: Where Do You Turn?
Taken from a Missions Class at Vision School of Missions using the book, Missions Smart: 15 Critical Questions to Ask Before Launching Overseas by David and Vicki Frazier.
Lessons from Acts 3–4, taught by Ty Pepperdine in Missions Class
What happens when ministry gets hard? Anyone who has served for long knows it does. As one pastor put it, "Where there's people, there's problems."
Think of Elijah: fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, and then he is running for his life.
Many of us know that pattern: we finish something for the Lord, and opposition hits. So the question is not whether hard times will come, but where we will turn when they do.
The many faces of opposition
On the mission field, opposition often shows up as:
- Sickness. Everything is going strong, and then a family member falls ill.
- Discouragement. God is clearly working, yet your own mind starts beating you down.
- Finances. Support dries up, or you start worrying today about a shortfall that may never come.
- Authorities. Sometimes it is a government, as in China. Often it is a cultural authority: village leaders or local people who rise up because the gospel threatens their way of life.
- Acts 19 shows this: the silversmiths of Ephesus rioted because people were getting saved and their idol business suffered.
A miracle at the temple gate (Acts 3)
Acts 3 opens with Peter and John doing exactly what they should: "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour" (Acts 3:1).
At the gate sat a man "lame from his mother's womb" (Acts 3:2), now "above forty years old" (Acts 4:22). Everyone knew him because he sat in the same spot every day. Peter told him, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6).
Instantly the man "leaping up stood, and walked" (Acts 3:8), praising God. Only God could have done it.
Point everything back to Jesus
When the crowd came running, Peter refused the credit: "Don't look at us. Jesus did this." Then he preached, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).
That is wise for anyone in ministry. It is easy to pray for God's help and then think, "I did pretty well on that." Instead, point every good thing back to Jesus.
Opposition right after the victory (Acts 4)
Instead of a great season, "the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people" (Acts 4:1–2), and jailed them overnight.
These were the same authorities who crucified Jesus, and their power was real.
Even the leaders admitted, "a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it" (Acts 4:16). Instead of repenting, they threatened the apostles to keep quiet.
Peter didn't stop preaching
Peter didn't hide. He preached: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
When ordered to be silent, Peter and John answered, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye" (Acts 4:19). The council had no reply.
We obey authorities, but God is the highest authority. That is why missionaries go where governments forbid preaching Jesus. We don't just have information; we have a testimony.
First place to turn: "They had been with Jesus"
Where did two fishermen get that kind of courage? Acts 4:13 tells us: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
That is how we stand under opposition too. Here are five ways to be with Jesus today.
1. Prayer
Stranded on an island without a Bible, you could still talk to God all day. Prayer goes with you everywhere.
In Micah 7, everyone fails the prophet, even those closest to him. Then: "I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7). Prayer may not always feel heard, but we have God's word on it.
2. Reading the Bible with a plan
Without a plan, most of us don't read. The YouVersion app's "catch me up" button keeps you on track when you miss days; paper checklists work too. It isn't a chore. You get to spend time with the Lord.
3. Gathering with God's people
Have you ever regretted going to church? Probably not. Hebrews 10:24–25 says, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."
4. Memorizing and meditating on Scripture
Darlene Deibler Rose survived a prison camp without a Bible, sustained by memorized Scripture. When Rebecca and I surrendered to missions, the Lord put Psalm 34 on our hearts, and we memorized it.
Once on deputation, I realized Rebecca had heard my message too many times. While driving, I went over Psalm 34 in my mind, then preached it with no notes. The Holy Ghost will "bring all things to your remembrance" (John 14:26), but only what we have put in.
5. Obedience
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Obedience is the practical, everyday proof that we are walking with Him.
Second place to turn: "Their own company"
Walking with Jesus doesn't make ministry easy. So where did Peter and John go? "And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them" (Acts 4:23).
We are more connected than ever, yet more isolated. It is tempting to plow through to the field alone. But God designed ministry to be done together; even Paul took Silas. Even if your family is alone on the field, you need a team behind you.
Notice three things the believers did.
They reported the facts, not the drama
Peter and John simply told what happened, without drama. We are not defeated; the apostles even rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41).
On deputation, likewise, communicate needs clearly but never beg. God is the provider.
Report public matters publicly; share private ones only with trusted counselors.
They prayed with one accord
When we pray together, more people glorify God for the answer. Stay engaged and agree: "Yes, Lord. Amen." If you lead, keep prayer times in short blocks.
They asked for boldness
They didn't ask for the opposition to disappear. They prayed, "grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (Acts 4:29). Missionaries in China or Muslim communities need that same united prayer.
Building your own company
In Mission Smart, David Frazier urges missionaries to "nurture a few organic relationships back home": friendships that grow naturally over time.
Natural doesn't mean effortless. Like a marriage, any worthwhile relationship takes work.
Pray for the right people
God designed His people to serve together, so praying for these relationships is praying His will.
Our daughters graduated from Christian Liberty Academy near Chicago, far from our Georgia home, among classmates they had never met. We prayed for one good friendship. Emma was seated beside another student whose name also began with P, and they became fast friends.
Two years later I asked, "Lord, could You do that again?" Abby was seated beside a girl who became a fast friend too. God wants to answer that prayer.
Show yourself friendly
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Friendship is a two-way street: be a blessing to your company, not just a receiver.
On deputation you'll have to step out first, so practice now:
- Serve. Look for needs and jump in. You will build friendships with others who serve, and they are often the very people who will stand with you on the field.
- Ask questions. Shared interests come from real conversations, and good questions open them up.
- Start early. Real, lasting relationships take time, so begin building your team long before you leave.
Dependent on Christ, not isolated from people
Peter and John were bold because they had been with Jesus, yet they still needed their company. Jesus is your first refuge; the church is the company He gives you.
Questions for reflection
- When opposition or discouragement hits, where do you turn first?
- Which habit of "being with Jesus" needs the most attention in your life right now?
- Who is your "own company" today? If no one comes to mind, who could you begin building that relationship with this week?
- How can you show yourself friendly and serve someone else on their team?
Ministry will get hard. When it does, may we be people who have been with Jesus, and who have a company to go home to.