Bible reading for 40.Day 2025 | 1 Samuel 30:6

Winning the youth is easier said than done.

If you are the parent of a teenager, or if you have ever been involved in youth ministry or youth work, you will know that the task of reaching and discipling young people is never easy.

We are frequently confronted with disappointment, rejection, even betrayal. For some of us, the thought of giving up can even be an ever-present reality. In times like these, what do you do?

1 Samuel 30:6 tells us that in a time of distress, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I believe one of the most underrated skillsets in youth ministry is the “art of self-encouragement in the Lord”.

Here are 3 tips I’d like to share with you on how to keep drawing strength from God.

Drawing strength from God

1. Focus on who Jesus is. In a time of discouragement, it is so easy to magnify problems and minimise God. But it is at such times that we need a fresh vision of who God truly is.

Psalms 8:3-4 says:

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

When we truly consider the greatness of God, it helps us frame our problems the right way. During one of the darkest seasons in my life, the Lord gave me a song titled Alpha & Omega. Even as I penned the song, the lyrics reminded me that Jesus is truly the Beginning and the End, and my problems simply cannot stand in the light of who He truly is.

2. Focus on what Jesus is doing. Serving God is never easy, and we can become jaded if we are not careful. In such times, we need to shift our focus from what is not happening to what God is actually making happen!

Isaiah 43:19 says:

“Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Maybe we need to stop to appreciate how God is blessing us in other areas of our lives. Maybe we need to give thanks for how far He has brought us. And maybe it’s a good time to look around and celebrate how God is blessing others as well.

Once, I was so troubled by some issues that the Lord had to interrupt me and tell me to count my blessings. As I did so, I realised many of the things I had prayed and asked Him for were actually being given that very season! As it turned out, that was actually one of the most blessed seasons of my life, and I almost missed it because I was caught up with what was not happening.

3. Focus on why you first started serving Jesus. All of us started our journeys with a great sense of wonder, but over time, some of us wonder if we should give up. In such times, would you return to your earliest and most innocent dreams for Jesus? Would you allow your heart to be encouraged by the younger you when you first started serving Jesus?

There was a time when I was so down, I felt God could not use me anymore. As I lamented and wallowed in self-pity, the Lord stopped me midway and told me to recall the dreams I once had for Him. As I did so, faith and hope soared in my spirit all over again, and I found myself dreaming for Him once more.

God is not done with you. If He called you to serve Him, His grace will be enough for you. Together, we can all learn the “art of self-encouragement in the Lord”.

So, to all parents of youths or those serving or reaching out to youths, let’s be All In to overcome any discouragement, because Jesus is worth it, and this generation needs you!

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we know that as we serve this generation with You, we are never alone. You are with us, and You call us to encourage ourselves in You. Encourage us even as we continue to serve You faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflect:

1. What are the words that are coming out of your mind and mouth as you serve? Are they complaints? How will you encourage yourself in the Lord instead?

2. Think back to why you began serving in the first place. What did you tell the Lord?

3. List all the good things God has done in you and through you in your ministry. 

Pray:

1. For those who feel under-appreciated in youth ministry, that the Lord will restore to them the joy they have in Him.

2. For those who serve the unloveable, that the Holy Spirit will strengthen them to do all things with Him and through Him.

3. For those who are feeling discouraged in ministry that they will stir themselves up in their faith, believing that God’s grace is sufficient for them.

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