5 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

Here are five things I wish I could go back and tell my 27-year-old self as I was stepping into ministry. I hope these lessons encourage you and help you along the way.

1. YOU ARE NOT GOD’S GIFT TO THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS GOD’S GIFT TO YOU.

When I first started in ministry, I thought the church was lucky to have me with all my "talent" and "skills." Honestly, what a joke! That mindset didn’t just hold me back—it made me blind to the truth. Ministry isn’t about proving how great you are; it’s about God shaping you and blessing you through the journey.

Isaiah 43:10 says: “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.”

Here’s the truth: God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us—and in the process, He blesses us by helping us know Him better. Once you embrace that, ministry stops feeling like a burden and starts feeling like a joy.

2. YOU HAVE TO BUILD YOUR FAITH.

Ministry is tough—there’s no sugarcoating it. It’s not just a job; it’s your whole life. If you don’t have a strong faith, you won’t last long. For me, growing my faith has always come down to two things: the Word and worship.

The Word: Faith grows when you spend time in Scripture. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Every time you open your Bible—even if it’s just for a few minutes—you’re growing your faith.

Worship: In Romans 4:20-21, Paul talks about Abraham’s faith growing stronger as he gave glory to God. Worship has the same effect on me. When I stop everything and focus on giving God glory, it strengthens my faith and reminds me that He’s got it all under control.

So if you’re feeling drained or weak in your faith, go back to the basics: open your Bible and worship.

3. DON’T SKIP PRAYER.

This one might seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. Without prayer, you’ll struggle to find peace, clarity, and the strength you need to keep going. Over the years, I’ve found a few simple ways to make prayer a regular part of my life:

  • Pick a spot and a time: Find a place where you can meet with God daily—a chair, a quiet corner, wherever you feel comfortable. Make it a habit. Daily, intentional prayer fuels those spontaneous moments of prayer throughout your day.

  • Keep it simple: I’ve learned that “praying without ceasing” doesn’t mean using fancy words. It’s about short, honest phrases: “Thank You.” “Help me.” “Wow, You’re amazing.” “I love You.” These little prayers throughout the day keep me connected to God.

  • Pray big: When I look at my prayer list, I ask myself, “Does this reflect my belief that God is all-powerful and generous? Or does it look like I’m just writing down things I can do on my own?” God wants us to believe big and pray big. Mark 11:24 says, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” So ask boldly—He can handle it.

4. YOUR ATTITUDE MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK.

Ministry is messy. Things will go wrong—plans fall apart, people disappoint you, and sometimes, you’ll feel like giving up. When that happens, your attitude will set the tone for everyone around you. People are watching how you respond.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice always.” No matter how hard things get, remember this: God is still on the throne. He’s in control. And in the end, we win because of Him. That truth should shape how we approach every challenge. So even when it’s tough—smile, trust Him, and keep going.

5. LIVE A LIFE WORTH FOLLOWING.

Whether you like it or not, people are watching you—and they’re imitating you. That’s both humbling and terrifying, isn’t it? But it’s also a calling. Hebrews 13:7 tells us to “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

I’ve had to ask myself some tough questions over the years: If someone followed my example, would they become more like Jesus? Am I living a life that’s worth imitating? It’s not about perfection, but about integrity. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in every part of your life—your habits, your priorities, your relationships. He knows the areas where you need to grow.

Above all, remind yourself of the Gospel every single day. Jesus paid for all your mistakes, even the ones you don’t realise you’re making. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be faithful. Ministry isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. And trust me, the best is yet to come.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In the Footsteps of Giants

Following Jesus in a World Obsessed with Platform There’s a reason your heart longs for more. Not more money. Not more likes. Not more followers. But more meaning . We live in a world where people are chasing fame while Jesus is still calling people to follow . Not just follow Him—but walk in the footsteps of giants . People of faith who didn’t live for the spotlight, but for the Kingdom . And here’s the wild thing: most of those giants were just ordinary people who made extraordinary decisions. Not because they had perfect lives—but because they had unshakable faith . 1. They Walked by Faith, Not for Applause Hebrews 11 is the OG Hall of Fame, but it’s not filled with influencers or athletes—it’s full of faithful people who chose obedience over convenience. “By faith Abel… by faith Enoch… by faith Noah… by faith Abraham…” – Hebrews 11 These weren’t flawless people. Abraham lied. Moses had a temper. Rahab had a past. But they walked forward by faith . If you want to leave ...
Read more

The AAA-Rated Leader

  “The AAA-Rated Leader” Anointed. Aligned. Available. Big Idea: God doesn’t just anoint you for the platform, He anoints you for life. But the anointing flows through alignment and requires availability . True influence comes when these three meet in every sphere of life. 1. FAMILY – Lead With Oil, Not Just Order Anointed: Your home is your first pulpit. Scripture: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” – Psalm 23:5 If your cup overflows anywhere, it should be at home first. You can’t fake anointing in front of your kids or spouse—it leaks or it overflows. Aligned: God’s order in the home brings peace. Scripture: “But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” – 1 Timothy 3:5 Align your calendar with your values. Don’t win on the platform and lose at home. Available: Quote – “The single greatest influence on a child’s faith is the spiritual leadership of the parents.” Be present, not just providing. You can't o...
Read more

I’m gonna side with Grace

1. Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Straight up: Jesus connects our forgiveness from God directly to how we forgive others. 2. Matthew 18:32–35 (NIV) “You wicked servant,” he said, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Hard truth: Grace is not something we just receive—it’s something we’re commanded to extend. 3. James 2:13 (NIV) “Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Reminder: If you want mercy, you have to gi...
Read more