What Did We Expect?

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We dove head first into the heart of Satan’s Kingdom. Did we think it would be easy? No, but we could not have imagined how moving to an unreached place would test our emotions, love, faith, strength, etc. And we never would have thought we could miserably fail all of those tests. But we did. I moved overseas full of faith, love, and excitement for what God was going to do. 9 months in, I was broken and depressed…. And I thought I was alone. I thought I was the only missionary that struggled like this. Things like this shouldn’t happen to a mature believer, right?

 

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Satan will attack you hard

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As I opened my eyes a bit, I began to realize that most missionaries in unreached places experience similar things. An experienced missionary, who I respect more than almost anyone in the whole world, someone I want to be like when I “grow up,” had an even worse year than I did. How is that possible?

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Missionaries struggle for many different reasons, but the fact is that life in an unreached place is extremely challenging for every gospel worker at times. Our faith in God should be strong enough to trust Him in every situation and be filled with peace and joy no matter what happens to us. But it isn’t. We all have weaknesses. And when you move to an unreached place, Satan will attack your weaknesses, and you will fail, and you will be miserable. Satan doesn’t want you shining in the heart of darkness. Did you think he was going to give up the strongholds of his kingdom without a fight?

 

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I guess we should just give up

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We can’t succeed anyway. The unreached don’t really need Jesus. Someone else will go if we don’t. We shouldn’t do missions if it will cause tension in our family or be bad for our health. Lies. All lies.

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Satan will do anything to convince you that you are not qualified for the mission field, or not needed. But there is a world that doesn’t have access to the only message that can save them from eternal hell and offer them eternal life. You are needed. And you will never be qualified, but we have a great God who chooses to work through very unqualified people if they are willing to go where he asks.

 

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It Gets Better

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When you dedicate your life to the service of God, fierce opposition arises via emotions, people, circumstances, temptations, etc. And it seems impossible at first. But never give up your passion to serve God. Keep fighting. It gets better. When all hope was lost, Jesus rose from the dead. And now, nothing can stop Him. When I was broken, I thought I would never make a difference for God’s Kingdom. But God changed everything for me. The night is darkest just before the dawn.

 

“I consider my life worth nothing to me; if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

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For Reflection:

Luke 9:25-34, 2 Timothy 3:12-14, Galatians 6:10