There are many challenges in full-time ministry that most people face. When you answer the call of God in your life, you are not just taking a new job, but you are giving your life to minister to others.
Daily you deal with your own inner issues that you have to face and ask God to help you overcome. There are the demands of ministering to God's people.
It amazes me to see the many facets of ministry from pastoring, being a missionary or worship leader, doing outreach ministry, being administrative and much more. Everyone who does any kind of work in ministry has to learn to keep a balance in the ministry. People in ministry have so much passion to reach people and tend to pour their lives into the ministry.
This, at times, can cause burn-out. Marriages and families can be neglected, and sometimes it can affect a person's health.
The Lord doesn't call individuals to the ministry so they can burn out, get sick or lose their families. The Lord will equip those He calls. I have seen so many people struggle personally, in their marriage and in their families by putting the ministry first. You cannot reach the whole world and lose your family—that is not God's will. There is a balance you can have working in the ministry in your life, within your marriage and family.
Here are five ways to keep a balance working in the ministry:
1. God has to be first in your life. Daily reading His Word and praying. You cannot work for God and not have a relationship with Him.
2. Do not put ministry before your marriage and family. Ministry can keep you busy, but always set time aside every week for your marriage and your family. My husband and I pastor, so we set aside Monday nights for our family time with our kids. We watch a movie and eat dinner at home. Our kids love it!
3. Stay healthy. Ministry can require physical labor, whether it's preaching, traveling or outreach. You have to take care of your health. Try to eat healthy and work out when you can because God needs you for the long run!
4. Keep your heart soft. Always remember this, "You can love the people but hate their sin." Help the people get free. Don't get angry or offended with the people you reach.
5. Have a weekly schedule. You must schedule your time so you are not pulled in every direction. You have schedule time off to rest and regroup so you can be strong to do ministry.
"For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:30, MEV).
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26, MEV).
"Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail; if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge, it shall vanish" (1 Cor. 13:4-8, MEV).
Working in the ministry gives you a powerful platform to reach the lost and build God's kingdom, don't let things that you can control forfeit your call in ministry. God needs you to be strong, filled with faith, healthy and successful in your marriage and family. Your children cannot fulfill their destiny if you don't. Set time aside and ask the Lord how you can get a better balance in your daily life! Working in the ministry is an honor and privilege, so be thankful God has giving you this opportunity. 
Along with her husband, Pastor Luis Reyes, Tricia Reyes is the co-founder of The New Church Of Joy in Waukegan, Illinois. She is a blogger, author and helps manage her daughter Madison's (Maddie Rey) Music Ministry. She is a devoted wife and mother to Madison and Matthew and loves the Lord with all her heart! To learn more about Tricia's ministry or to book her for a Women's Event/Conference visit her website at triciareyes.com or thenewchurchofjoy.com.
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