How can we have true success in our callings and ministries? We need to learn to measure the success of our callings not by worldly standards, but by the right measure.
How to Have True Success in Our Callings
As a Christian writer and creative, I often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and failure when I “fail” to meet my goals and the standards I have set for myself. Failing to achieve X and Y in my timeline makes me feel unsuccessful in my calling as a writer.
Even if you have another calling or ministry, I am confident you can relate to this type of struggle.
In conversations with other Christian writers, I often hear that they feel frustrated and disappointed when they see the number of followers, likes, comments, and low engagement rate. This disappointment robs the joy and brings thoughts of failure and further discouragement.
I’ve also had my own share of disappointment and felt like a failure when I encountered rejections, closed doors, and little engagement. So, how do we get out of this, and how do we measure the success of our ministries?
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Three Powerful Truths to Dispel the Lies of Discouragement
Surely, we can’t use worldly standards, measuring success by numbers, achievements, and results. The truth is, we can’t define and measure the success of our callings and ministries by the output and the numbers. God has another definition of success, and we will be wise to apply it to our various callings, too.
Here are 3 powerful truths to dispel the lies of discouragement and feelings of failure:
- Success and achievement are not the same. Don’t mistake achievements for true and lasting success, for success in God’s eyes.
- True ministry is God-focused rather than results-driven. This is a truth we need to always keep in our minds. As long as we stay single-focused with glorifying Jesus as our chief aim, the results we see will not bother us so much.
- True and lasting success is in the process and the growth we make by following the Lord. As long as we faithfully follow the Lord, we are moving forward, we are progressing; we grow and change, and this is success.
How to Measure the Success of Our Ministries and Callings
Here we can apply Stephen Covey’s wise advice from his bestselling book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, namely, “to begin and work with the end in mind.”
What is the end goal or result of our callings? This is fulfilling God’s purpose and will for us in all our seasons and in our generation. This is not necessarily tied to achievement; it is tied to our primary identity.
Our primary identity, which contains our aim and purpose, is servants of Christ.
Our Identity Here and in Eternity
We are Christ’s bondservants here in this life (Philippians 1:1) and in eternity, perhaps pillars in God’s temple (Revelation 3:7-13). This is a reward for obedience and patient endurance promised to the church in Philadelphia.
“The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.“ (Rev. 3:12, NIV)
Being bondservants of Christ is our primary identity, our only aim, our sole measure, our life’s work.
This means that our main purpose and mission is to glorify or exalt Christ in our bodies, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20) Our life and sole measure of success is Christ. (Philippians 1:21)
God’s Criteria for True and Lasting Success
In Philippians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul clarifies further what a successful life, calling, and ministry mean with the following words.
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.” (Philippians 1:22, NIV)
“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:25, NIV)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.“ (Philippians 1:27, NIV)
As long as our labor is fruitful, contributing to the progress, growth, and joy in the faith of other believers, and as long as we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, we are successful.
Does this sound like numbers, statistics, and achievements? Definitely not.
The True Measure of Success in Our Callings
So, take heart, and follow the Lord wherever He leads: in seasons of hiddenness and anonymity, or in seasons of promotion.
Your faithfulness to your calling and mission, your single-mindedness and undivided heart, and your patient endurance are the real indicators of true and lasting success.
You are destined to be a pillar in God’s temple – set your eyes on this great reward!
As believers, our lives and sole measure of success is Christ. #success #faith #encouragement Share on XServing God Successfully in Our Pain and Suffering
Do you know that we can serve the Lord and stay faithful to our callings in and through our pain and suffering? Learn how we can do this in my book, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings.”
Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the precious blessings in each of them.
More Encouragement for You
If you need additional resources and encouragement to serve the Lord successfully in all situations and with your whole heart, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365-Day Devotional by John Eldredge
The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips
Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer
Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
Do you feel discouraged in your calling and ministry, wondering if you are successful? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this post helpful. Thanks!
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Looking for the fruit and growth over what we typically think of as success. Great thoughts and ideas!
Thanks, Sarah! I am glad the post encouraged you. Blessings to you!
Very thoughtful look into how we can have true success in our callings. I often set goals and standards for myself and have had lots of times of feelings of disappointment and upset with myself for not achieving them. The part of the post, “You are destined to be a pillar in God’s temple – set your eyes on this great reward!” is so encouraging.
Thanks, Debbie! I am happy the post encouraged you. Yes, we often fail to achieve our own goals and standards and feel discouraged. But a shift in perspective is helpful.
Thanks for your candid reflections on finding success in our calling. I like your emphasis on keeping our focus on God, and I appreciate your discussion of success versus achievement. So helpful.
Thanks, Crysti! I am glad you found the post helpful and encouraging. Blessings!
Thank you for writing about how to have true success in our callings. I agree that when you are following where the Lord leads, success is not measured in numbers. We can glorify God no matter where we are or what we are doing. Thank you for this reminder!
Thanks, Lisa! Yes, true success is not found in the numbers. Blessings to you!