1. Recognize the Nature of the Spiritual Warfare in which we are Engaged (Eph. 6:12-19).⤒🔗

Severe losses are sometimes experienced. King David was betrayed by a close friend (see Ps. 55:12-14 and Ps. 109). We are not inspired penmen and may not pray in the imprecatory manner used by David. Rather we should recognize that most of those who criticize and then abandon us do so because they have never been truly joined in heart to the great truths of Scrip­ture. Or if they have, then they have never appreciated that loving Christ is given practical expression in loving his people and showing consistent support and loyalty to them in the local church. They criticize the pastor – usually his preaching – and then leave, but in reality it is their attachment to the church which has been tested.

2. With Sorrow and Love Commit those who Leave to the Lord.←⤒🔗

Leave it at that and do not go on grieving over it or brooding about it. By their own choice they are no longer your responsibility (Heb. 13:17). Do not rob others of your spiritual energies by expending your slender resources on something you have no power to change. Remember that God shows his sovereignty in building his church with additions and subtractions according to his own all-wise knowledge and purpose.

3. Do not Allow Discouragement to Take hold of You.←⤒🔗

Of course, that is easy to say, but how can victory over the monstrous demon of discouragement be achieved? Answer: by doing the good that is to hand with all your might (Col. 3:23, 24). Objection: But I have worked for people to no gain, only loss! Answer: Your labour is never in vain because the Lord will reward it irrespective of results (1 Cor. 15:58)! The strength of any church is seen not in how much they can enjoy themselves, but in how firmly they are attached to the Word during long seasons of trial and adversity. James says that trial can be turned into joy for many good reasons which he describes (James 1:2-4).

4. Do not Become Obsessed with Self-defense.←⤒🔗

The preaching is almost always the target of the critics. It is wise to endeavour to avoid all just cause of offence: too long, too short, too doctrinal, too aggressive, too heavy, too light, too loud, too soft, too this or too that. Constant effort must be made to eradicate all needless aggravation. When this has been attended to then the critics should be entirely ignored. If they are not, then it can result in being sidetracked into trying to satisfy the critics who will never be satisfied and thereby neglecting the needs of those who do appreciate the ministry. Consider that every great prophet, apostle and preacher throughout history has been mercilessly criticized, especially by those who simply could not face up to the discipleship and discipline required by the application of that preaching.

5. Keep Your Head in all Situations, Endure Hardship-discharge all Your Responsibilities (2 Tim. 4:5).←⤒🔗

When we are disappointed, we are vulnerable and prone to imbalance and exaggeration. Like Elijah, we can be tempted to the most ridiculous extremes, 'I only am left!' – forgetting that there are yet 7000 in Israel. We must keep our heads, which is to say, we must maintain our balance. Be­cause the church is deserted by malcontents it does not mean that the church is going to collapse. Satan would have us think so. But Christ will build His Church and he has already prepared his replacements who will strengthen the body. Others who have been weak are about to be revived in a way that will surprise everyone.

6. Really Enjoy and Benefit from the Fellowship of those who are Faithful, Persevering and True.←⤒🔗

When Demas and others forsook Paul, the apostle was sad but he could still say, 'Only Luke is with me' (2 Tim. 4:11). What a comfort Dr. Luke must have been for him! For every Paul there is a Luke and a helper like Mark who, though he was weak once, became strong and more experienced and thereby ready to assist (2 Tim. 4:11).

7. Take Comfort in the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4).←⤒🔗

Not long ago I was severely discouraged and while in that state made a pastoral call with the intention of giving strength and encouragement. To my surprise I found myself being counselled and admonished with Isa. 43:1-8. This proved a powerful reminder of the previous point.

When downcast let us comfort ourselves in the Word in all its glorious length and breadth. This will also strengthen us to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:4).

8. Do not get Disillusioned with the Truth.←⤒🔗

That a church has a fully orthodox creed is no guarantee that it will be free of trouble. I know of one very orthodox church which is divided because the two leaders proved totally incompatible. Churches are made up of believers who have remaining in them innumerable sources of mischief. The possibility of their putting truth to shame is endless. I have known members to be very consistent for five years or more and then when real testing came they went berserk, veering off in all kinds of ways so that I wonder whether they will ever recover their former stability. Am I going to turn on Christ now and blame Him for the immaturity of His disciples? Am I going to tear up God's truth because some are unstable? Never!

9. Put the Past Behind You (Phil. 3:15).←⤒🔗

There are battles which have been lost. There are sins which have been committed. To spend our energies moping or fretting is harmful. We confess, we repent, we plead forgiveness, we press forward (1 John 1:8; 2:2). We comfort ourselves with the knowledge that while many battles may be lost the war will be won. (Rev. 12:11).

10. Do Not be Too Idealistic.←⤒🔗

Some seem to think that all one needs to do is learn Reformed doctrine and all will be well. That is rampant idealism! We believe that Reformed teaching can be the greatest help in the life-long battle of sanctification, but there are other factors involved such as obedience and faithfulness. It is a gross oversimplification to think that all we need to do is to assert right doctrine. Every preacher worth his salt knows that this is the easiest part of his work. The difficult part is getting theory into practice! Such is the opposition that sometimes we seem to be going backwards in our churches rather than forwards. Hence we must be realistic. The majority of New testament churches received pure apostolic teaching and yet were beset with appalling problems of every kind. By all means let us aim high. Let us have idealism. But woe betide us, if we are carried away by it and fail to reckon with the grim realities of the common scene in which only a fraction of God's truth seems really to take root and grow in God's people!