I sat across the table from a student—let’s call her Sally—as she opened up about the weight she’s carrying. Life, school, and friendships all seemed to be crashing down on her. She spoke about how lonely she feels. Friends exclude her, plan events behind her back, and keep her out of the loop. The guy she’s crushing on doesn’t seem interested. To top it off, her test grade was a major letdown. Although she knows in her head that God is good, her heart is locked in a struggle to truly believe He’s loving and kind.
When Sally opened up about her struggle to believe in God’s goodness and kindness toward her, I couldn’t help but think, Me too, girl! As I shared truths that God isn’t withholding good (Ps. 84:11); that God is the lifter of our heads (Ps. 3:3); and that Jesus is our Good Shepherd (John 10:10-15), I realized these words weren’t just for her. They were a balm to my own wrestling soul as well. It was a reminder that the truths we offer others often meet us right when we need them most.
After spending time with students, I’m often confronted by how much I struggle to believe the very truths I share. Amid ministry, it can feel far easier to tell others about the Gospel than to fight to believe and experience its liberating power in my own life. As I walked away from my conversation with Sally, I found myself praying, “Lord, help me to believe these simple truths. Why does it feel easier to trust Your goodness and kindness for Sally than for myself?” This battle isn’t just theoretical. It’s deeply personal, and it’s one all of us face daily.
Thankfully our Good Shepherd cares more for our students and ministry than we ever could. Our faithful, caring, and kind Shepherd protects his weary, weak, and worn-out sheep. What’s more, the Good Shepherd laid down his life for you and me.
So how do we practically fight to believe and rest in the gospel truths that we share with others?
Know Who He Is
Jesus meets us in our weariness and brokenness, having lived the perfect life we couldn’t. He hears every cry and responds with compassion. Never distant, he walks with us, leading the way as our Shepherd. He calls us his beloved, delights in drawing near, and cares for our souls with unmatched tenderness.
Friend, cast all your cares on Jesus, because he cares for you more than you can imagine. If we are weary, he holds us steady. When we are weak, he is our strength. If we are drained, he fills and sustains us. In him, we are freed from carrying burdens too heavy for us to bear. He’s got you, and he won’t let go. Knowing who he is affects your vision for life and ministry.
Know Whose You Are
In truth, your core identity is not what you do, who you are, or what your title is. Instead, your identity comes from whose you are. We label ourselves with so many name tags. These name tags reveal our idolatries. For example, we may root our identities in our family connections, our ministry titles, our abilities, our ministry success, and our financial security. Personally, I often define myself by what my boss, my students, and culture thinks of me.
But our value isn’t our ministry performance, how much we accomplish, how many people we lead to Christ, how many Bible studies we lead, how many students attend a retreat … our identity is rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Who does he say you are? You are his workmanship, which literally means his masterpiece ( Eph. 2:10). You are remarkably and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14).
Above all, you are a son or daughter of the Most High King. He has chosen you. You are his beloved. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Jack Miller said, “Cheer up! You are a worse sinner than you ever dared imagine, and yet you are more loved than you ever dared hope.”
Fight to Believe Truth
Because of the lies of the Enemy, you will need to fight for your heart to believe the gospel as you share it with others. My favorite way to help others fight lies and believe gospel truth is to make gospel truth cards. On one side we write the lie, and then on the other side we write truths that counters that lie, such as verses, songs, sayings, or quotes.
What lies or unhelpful thoughts are filtering through your heart and mind? What truth would help you fight to believe what is true? As we fight to believe the gospel, may the Good News taste even sweeter as we gaze at the cross and rest in the strong arms of our kind Shepherd.
Stand on the Rock of Salvation
Eventually, I shared with Sally, “Me too, girl. I am really struggling to believe that God is kind and loving to me personally.” Then she opened up further, including that she feels hope knowing she isn’t alone in her struggles. Ministering from a place of wrestling to believe what is true of God and of ourselves creates humility, openness, and vulnerability. As I share gospel truth with others, it often reignites my own belief and helps me admit my deep need to believe the gospel every day.
As your weary heart struggles to believe truth, may the basics of the gospel sink deeply into your heart. God loves you with his great love that is lavished on you. He chose you, forgives you, adopted you, cherishes you, and delights to use you for his glory and kingdom purposes. Even through your brokenness and unbelief, he will fulfill his purpose for you and your ministry (Ps. 138:8).
Rooted invites you to access a free printable resource to help you in your ministry—five gospel truth cards created by author Rachel Cain. We pray they will remind you of your identity in the gospel as you minister to teenagers.
Looking for gospel-centered support and ministry coaching? Rooted offers youth and family mentorships, and new cohorts begin this February.
