Who wants to do their job when they are having a bad day? I believe the majority of people would answer no to that question. But what happens when this particular job is in ministry and God is using you as a vessel to pour into others? When I was 19 years old my previous church had promoted me to Youth Department President. Let’s just say I was pretty overwhelmed when I received the position. I was thinking, “I am just becoming a young woman myself and now I’m expected to lead a group of kids, teens, and young adults in living for Christ.” All I could think was one word, HELP! As terrified as I was, I came to terms with it. I prayed to God about it and rose to the occasion and He equipped me for everything that the position entailed. However, the hardest time for me to lead was when my life was falling apart. Throughout some of my previous blogs I’ve mentioned how back in 2015 God was taking me through a transitioning period. Certain friendships had ended, a relationship or “situationship” as I call it had also ended, and I found myself unfocused and needing to get back closer to Christ. Even though I had my own personal stuff going on I was still expected to lead my Youth Department and to be totally honest I did not think I was worth following or equipped to lead because my life was falling apart.
I felt so helpless at times, like “God what do I have to offer?” Now thinking back over 5 years ago and asking God that question, it now highlights one of the many things that makes God so beautiful to me. When your life is falling apart is when He wants to use you the MOST! Take Joseph in the Bible for instance. Joseph was disliked by his own brothers and sold by them! His journey continued and he was lied on and thrown into jail for a crime he did not commit. After serving over 2 years in jail he was released based on him being able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and then was put in charge of Egypt. However, even though it seemed Joseph’s personal life was falling apart, God favored him through every struggle and he eventually was thankful that his brothers sold him because he knew that it was a part of God’s plan. He would not have been put in charge of Egypt if he was never sold therefore, he wouldn’t have been able to save his family when there was poverty all over Egypt.
“When
your life
is falling
apart is
when He
wants to use
you the MOST!”
– Diamond Melvin
Likewise, like Joseph, God used me even when I felt as if my life was in shambles. I became even more present in my department because the worst thing you can do when God has called you to lead is disappear. This can cause your followers to also lose motivation and disappear as well. He used me to be able to pour into my youth even more. I shared with them what I was going through so they would yield from making the same mistakes. He also birthed new visions for my department and in my personal life. God gave me the idea of creating a safe space for my teen’s to talk about things they could not talk about on a “typical” Sunday morning, I called it “The Breakout.” I thought I was just creating a safe space for teens to just be teens, however, God was always present. My teens were dealing with real issues and needed spiritual guidance and God used my bestfriend and I to fight spiritually for these kids and help them as they needed it. They were so excited for it and they were always looking forward to the next one. So God was using my struggle for His Glory.
Important Lessons I have learned in leading when your life is falling apart:
1. Be reminded of God’s love through this difficult time- The reality is that you are going to suffer in this life just as Jesus suffered, however, you must never forget that God loves you. In Isaiah 54:10 it states “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” That verse is literally saying that although tough times will arise, God’s love for you is unchanging, never failing, and most importantly unconditional.
2. In the midst of uncertainty TRUST God’s plan- What I find funny is that when we go through things it’s like we treat it as if God is not already aware, as if it’s new information to Him. Welp, He wanted me to let you know that He is aware and completely in control. Circumstances may change, but God NEVER changes and you must trust His plan for your life. He was fully aware that I had to continue to lead my Youth Department even though I was going through my own personal drama. When I started to trust in His plan, the better leader I became. (Jeremiah 29:11)
3. Run to Jesus for Comfort- Listen, you have to have God when it comes to living this life. Life is too much for anyone to handle on their own. Yes, God sends us family, friends, pastors, mentors, etc. for support but ultimately we still need God. You have to have someone to run to when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. Someone you can pull on when you don’t know which way to turn and that someone is God. Once God has comforted you, you are now able to share that comfort with others. (2nd Corinthians 1:3-4)
Life is going to throw you curveballs, but you cannot let that stop you from living a purposeful life and still doing what God has called you to do. I do not always like the tests that God takes me through, but I have learned to change my attitude and my mindset towards struggles because your response is everything! I now embrace struggles because I know I’m serving a God who is AWARE of what I’m going through because He allowed it. I serve a God who is AVAILABLE whenever I need Him. And I know that He is ABLE to bring me through whatever I am facing and to equip me with the ability to still lead and serve for Him. (Ephesians 3:20-21) I hope this blog will encourage you to embrace Joseph’s experience and to keep pushing no matter what the circumstances are because when it’s a part of God’s plan, He favors you. And yes, as Christians we will suffer, but we do not suffer like the world suffers because we have God.
Love Your Sis,
"Dear God," Blog 
This piece is full of wisdom… Great word!
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