- Losing your life isn't always what you expect: God might not ask you to give up personal wealth, quit your job and move to a foreign land. He will require you to give up your pride and self will. These are more difficult to give up, and when they are gone, you may feel out of place with your surroundings.
- Your pride and self will are likely to be replaced with compassion and a strong desire to be like Christ. This may make you lose pleasure in your possessions and feel helpless or even foreign (because your priorities are unlike the priorities of those around you). Rise above these feelings and take action according to the spirit's prompting.
- You will fail and hurt people. Don’t avoid apologies – don’t quit. Only God is perfect, and He is greater than your failures.
- You are going to have a lot to learn about submission: sometimes you will feel like you’re going crazy. You may question if you are “in rebellion” or if you are blindly following someone who is leading you out of God’s Will. Submit unless it requires you to disobey God’s Word.
- You will be given opportunity to take matters into your own hands. Don’t – this will require prayer and self control.
- You will be given more opportunities to take matters into your own hands – keep praying.
- Success can come quickly and leave quickly . If your motivation for ministry is to feel successful: re-evaluate your purpose.
- When you recognize your heart is in the wrong place, that you’re off track, don’t quit ministering. Get back on track – immediately. There is a great need, and if you pull out of the race, other people will pay the price.
- Don’t be ashamed if you need help getting back on track; you are not able to and were never meant to hold yourself up. Be accountable to God and to a handful of godly mentors.
- Being accountable requires honesty; don’t make excuses.
- A deep, committed walk with God is the greatest asset any ministry can have; make your personal character and devotion your priority and God will provide the opportunities and resources you need.
What would you add to this list?
