The Healthy Church Staff Podcast
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The Healthy Church Staff Podcast
Learning Perseverance and Resilience from the Apostle Paul
What if you had the unwavering resolve to overcome any obstacle life throws your way? Join us on the Healthy Church Staff Podcast as Todd Rhoades, co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, takes you on a journey through the trials and triumphs of the Apostle Paul. Drawing from Paul's incredible perseverance amidst persecution, imprisonment, and shipwrecks, we explore how this steadfast apostle remained committed to his mission. Learn how to view your ministry as a marathon, not a sprint, and discover the key role that perseverance plays in navigating the inevitable challenges of life and leadership.
Throughout this episode, you'll gain insights on building your personal resilience plan, inspired by Paul's example. We offer practical advice on cultivating spiritual disciplines, establishing healthy boundaries, and forming a supportive network to fortify yourself against future hardships. By strengthening your resolve during good times, you'll be better prepared for life's valleys. This episode serves as a powerful reminder to remain steadfast in your calling, drawing strength from the same faith and determination that fueled Paul's unyielding dedication to the gospel.
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Hi there, welcome to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. My name is Todd Rhodes. I'm one of the co-founders at chemistrystaffingcom. Today we are continuing our series on lessons that we can learn from the Apostle Paul, from Scripture in the New Testament, and today we're focusing on a quality that's essential for every church leader, and Paul really showed us, through how he lived his life, this quality, and that is perseverance.
Speaker 1:So Paul faced incredible challenges in his ministry. I mean, think about it Persecution, imprisonment, shipwreck I mean you name it. I mean, maybe some of us have been persecuted, probably not the same way that Paul was, but we, you know, in our, you know, american way, we feel like we've been persecuted. I doubt that many of us have been imprisoned for our faith. I doubt that anyone listening to this podcast has ever been shipwrecked for the gospel. But Paul experienced all of these things and yet he never gave up. He always pressed forward. He was always fueled by his unwavering commitment to the gospel and his deep trust in God's provision and God's faithfulness. And today I want to talk about his example because it's a powerful reminder that ministry is a marathon. We've said it here often it's a marathon, it's not a sprint, and perseverance, perseverance is the key to finishing well Okay.
Speaker 1:So let's think about some of the hardships that Paul endured. We talked about a few of them. Paul was beaten. I'm a wimp man, I can't imagine being beaten. But Paul was beaten, he was stoned, he was shipwrecked, he was imprisoned. He constantly, constantly faced the opposition on both sides, from the Jews and the Gentiles. Yet through all of that, he never lost sight of his calling and he remained focused on the mission, even when it was difficult, even when it was painful and even when it was discouraging.
Speaker 1:Matter of fact, in 2 Corinthians 11, verses 23 through 28, paul lists a few of the trials that he faced. He says I've worked much harder. I've been in prison more frequently. I've been flogged more severely. I've been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned Three times. I was not just shipwrecked. Once he was shipwrecked three times, he spent a day and a night in the open sea.
Speaker 1:I've been constantly on the move. I've been in danger from rivers in danger from bandits in danger, from my own countrymen in danger from Gentiles in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger in the sea and in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger in the sea and in danger from false brothers. And I have labored and toiled and have gone, often gone without sleep. I've known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food. I've been cold and I've been naked. Oh my goodness, as my wife would say, oh my lanta right.
Speaker 1:Despite all of this, paul remained steadfast. He refused to be discouraged by setbacks or deterred by opposition. He pressed on. He fueled his passion for the gospel and his trust in God's strength. So here's my encouragement and advice for you today.
Speaker 1:I mean ministry can be challenging. I mean I doubt that any of us I hope that none of us go through everything that Paul went through, but regardless, we still face setbacks and disappointments and oppositions. But let Paul's example remind us that we can persevere through anything with God's help. Here's some key takeaways. I mean develop a personal resilience plan. Just as Paul faced physical and emotional trials, so do you, so do I. Create a plan on how you're going to handle the stress and discouragement and burnout before it hits, because you know it's going to hit. If you're in a high spot now, you know the valley's coming. It's just a cycle of life. Now this personal resilience plan might include, you know, spiritual disciplines and exercise, maybe some healthy boundaries and a support network. But it's really important that you are strong in the good times so that you can be strong in the harder times.
Speaker 1:And let me leave you with this, too today Identify your why. Leave you with this, too today. Identify your why. One thing about Paul his why was clear no-transcript. I mean clearly defining your purpose and calling will fuel you when things get tough. I mean write it down what's your why. Write it down, revisit it often and share it with someone so that they can hold you accountable.
Speaker 1:Can you imagine being shipwrecked three times? Can you imagine being shipwrecked three times? I mean, I am not a good swimmer, so I don't think it would be possible for me to be shipwrecked three times. I think once would probably do it for me. I'm not sure I'd ever want to get on a boat again, matter of fact. I know I wouldn't.
Speaker 1:But Paul's perseverance, even in the face of such dramatic setbacks, I mean, if you think about it, it's truly inspiring and it reminds us that we can overcome any obstacle with God's help. So here's the bottom line call to action for today. Ministry is a journey of perseverance. There will be challenges and setbacks. Maybe you're living them right now. There will be moments of discouragement. Maybe you're in the valley right now, but know, wherever you are on the journey, god's strength and the support of others will help us to press onward and finish well.
Speaker 1:So this week, take some time to create your own, as we talked about earlier resilience plan and as part of that resilience plan, I want you to write it down. Write it down Maybe you've never thought of it this way, but identify your why. Write it down and then share it with somebody. Share it with me. If you want to Reach out to me podcastchemistrystaffingcom, I would love to hear your why. I'd love to hear everybody's why. As a matter of fact, do that Podcastchemistrystaffingcom. Just write it down and send it to me. I'd love to hear it. And don't forget to express gratitude to the people and the resources that support you in your ministry. All right? Well, that's it for today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast. I hope you'll join us again tomorrow. We're going to continue our series this week, finish out this week and next week on the Apostle Paul. I hope it's been really fun for me. I hope it's been encouraging for you as well. So join us again right here tomorrow.
