Breaking Through
Breaking Through
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
In 20 years of ministry, I have learned that every ministry, regardless of its size, success, or longevity, encounters seasons that feel like a plateau—a time when the forward momentum seems to stall. Whether you’ve been in ministry for five years or fifty, these moments can feel discouraging and even defeating. You pour your heart into preaching, shepherding, planning, and praying, yet the growth you long to see seems just out of reach. You question your calling, your effectiveness, and sometimes even your purpose.
But remember this: the plateau is not the end of your journey; it is often the place where God does His deepest work in you and through you. It is in these seasons of waiting, questioning, and pressing forward that God refines your character, clarifies your vision, and teaches you the invaluable lessons of faithfulness and perseverance.
In the wilderness, God sustained the Israelites not just to prepare them for the Promised Land, but to teach them trust. In the prison, Joseph was refined not just to save Egypt, but to become the leader God needed him to be. And in the quiet years of Jesus’ life before His public ministry, God was preparing Him for His mission. The plateau may not feel productive, but it is profoundly formative.
Should you find yourself in such a season, remember:
God Sees Your Faithfulness: You may feel unseen or that your labor is unfruitful, but know that God sees every prayer, every sermon, every act of service, and every tear shed for your congregation. What feels like stagnation to you may be unseen seeds of transformation in others.
The Plateau Is Part of the Process: Growth is rarely linear. Even Jesus, during His earthly ministry, experienced moments where progress seemed delayed (e.g., John 6:66, when many disciples left Him). Yet He stayed faithful to His mission, trusting that His plan would unfold perfectly. God Is Still Working: Just because you can’t see progress doesn’t mean God isn’t moving. Often, He is working beneath the surface—in your heart, in your congregation, or in unseen ways that will bear fruit in due season.
Remember that the God who called you is the God who sustains you. The plateau is not the end—it is the beginning of something greater He is preparing to do. Stay faithful… The harvest is coming.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
In 20 years of ministry, I have learned that every ministry, regardless of its size, success, or longevity, encounters seasons that feel like a plateau—a time when the forward momentum seems to stall. Whether you’ve been in ministry for five years or fifty, these moments can feel discouraging and even defeating. You pour your heart into preaching, shepherding, planning, and praying, yet the growth you long to see seems just out of reach. You question your calling, your effectiveness, and sometimes even your purpose.
But remember this: the plateau is not the end of your journey; it is often the place where God does His deepest work in you and through you. It is in these seasons of waiting, questioning, and pressing forward that God refines your character, clarifies your vision, and teaches you the invaluable lessons of faithfulness and perseverance.
In the wilderness, God sustained the Israelites not just to prepare them for the Promised Land, but to teach them trust. In the prison, Joseph was refined not just to save Egypt, but to become the leader God needed him to be. And in the quiet years of Jesus’ life before His public ministry, God was preparing Him for His mission. The plateau may not feel productive, but it is profoundly formative.
Should you find yourself in such a season, remember:
God Sees Your Faithfulness: You may feel unseen or that your labor is unfruitful, but know that God sees every prayer, every sermon, every act of service, and every tear shed for your congregation. What feels like stagnation to you may be unseen seeds of transformation in others.
The Plateau Is Part of the Process: Growth is rarely linear. Even Jesus, during His earthly ministry, experienced moments where progress seemed delayed (e.g., John 6:66, when many disciples left Him). Yet He stayed faithful to His mission, trusting that His plan would unfold perfectly. God Is Still Working: Just because you can’t see progress doesn’t mean God isn’t moving. Often, He is working beneath the surface—in your heart, in your congregation, or in unseen ways that will bear fruit in due season.
Remember that the God who called you is the God who sustains you. The plateau is not the end—it is the beginning of something greater He is preparing to do. Stay faithful… The harvest is coming.
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