I shared ten ways to stay positive in ministry in my last post, and I want to share ten more in today’s post. Ministry is full of difficult seasons, and without some ways to stay positive you’re probably not going to last long. So, if you’re feeling down, hopefully these ideas will help.

11. Watch a movie. I ended my last post by suggesting you read a book, but reading may not be enjoyable to you. Instead, watch a movie. Comedies are the best for relieving stress, but a love story might be best to watch with your spouse.
12. Serve someone outside of the church. It’s easy to forget why we got into ministry. Remind yourself by serving someone. Buy someone’s lunch, cut your neighbors grass, or if you’re feeling especially brave, offer to babysit someone’s kids.
13. Tell your spouse why you’re discouraged. At times I think it’s dangerous to tell your spouse too much about what’s going on with the church, but at other times I think it’s just as dangerous to keep it to yourself. If something is bothering you and your spouse can tell, let them know what is so they can help you through it.
14. Pick up a hobby. It’s never too late in life to pick up the game of golf, bowling, or lots of other hobbies. Find something you enjoy that can take your mind off ministry at least for a few hours.
15. Get a small win. Finish your sermon a day early, so you can take your spouse on a date the next day. Check something off your to do list. Pray for three people in your church. Find a few small things you can accomplish and celebrate.
16. Listen to music. Dust off an old record, cassette, or CD and listen to some of your favorites. Just be warned, if you grew up in the 90’s like I did, you may want to stay away from the grunge genre.
17. Spend some time alone. I’m an introvert, which means that people often drain me. If you’re like me, don’t be afraid to spend some time alone to allow yourself time to recharge.
18. Watch a sermon online. Technology has given us access to some of the greatest preachers of our time. Spend an hour watching a sermon from one of your favorites. Who knows, maybe the message will speak to you.
19. Pray. The most obvious idea on this list, yet one that I easily forget when I’m feeling depressed. Don’t shy away from God during these seasons, lean in.
20. Get professional help. If you’ve tried these ideas and you still can’t seem to shake these feelings of discouragement, sit down with a counselor. There’s nothing shameful about needing help. We’ve all been there before. Do whatever it takes to get yourself healthy.

I hope these ideas help, and don’t forget to go back and read my last post to find out ten more ideas to stay positive. If you ever need someone to vent to and share your frustrations, shoot me an email and I’d love to talk. We’re in this together, and I want us all to be in it for a very long time.