God Rejoices in Your Resilience (COMPEL post)

Hey friends! Today I’m sharing a social media post that I submitted through COMPEL training for women in ministry.You can see it on their Facebook and Instagram pages today.

This is my post:

Do you struggle with overwhelm and finding pockets of time to write? When I dedicated this season of writing to the Lord, I wanted to have the most time possible to devote to my ministry. A few days later, I unexpectedly accepted a new teaching job and switched church locations.

I embraced the transitions with joy and excitement while simultaneously grieving the losses of what was. I had plans to finish the book and publish those posts … but I could barely keep up with my daily needs. My lack of availability kept me from cultivating this calling.

Instead of giving up, I learned to give in. New routines require new rhythms. If you find yourself in a place like me, friend, know that you are exactly where God appointed you to be. When you find yourself empty of energy, let God renew your strength. Here are five simple strategies to persevere in busy seasons:

1. Surrender your schedule to the Lord.
2. Prioritize your personal time with God over your ministry endeavors.
3. Redefine what “success” looks like.
4. Stay connected to a godly community.
5. Take care of your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health.

God rejoices in your resilience. He sees your effort, whether you jot down a few words or fill up a few pages. He sees your exhaustion and your setbacks. He knows the details that lead up to the greater victories. And God is proud of you for all that you do to advance His Kingdom and bring glory to His name.

— Michelle Martino, COMPEL Social Media Challenge winner

What are your strategies to succeed when in a season of busyness? Share in the comments below!

As I was praying for this post to go live, I had a thought: Life is almost always going to be busy. Different seasons bring different commitments. There will always be something to do.

But we have the power to manage our time and choose what we do. Our priorities reflect the affections in our hearts. I’m learning that rest can be found in community just as it can be refreshing to take a nap. It all depends on your capacity at the time and your motive. Are you stretching yourself too thin to elevate yourself? Or are you committed to many things to honor God? Are you making time to listen for His leading, or are you following your own voice?

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," - Colossians 3:23

I hope you find this post encouraging, friends!