OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD 
Occupational hazard is a very
common expression in our society that refers to potential risks, dangers, or
peril associated with one’s job or profession.
For example, people who work with asbestos run the risk of developing
lung cancer later on in life; roofers run the risk of falls and injuries. In general, most professions, if not all, have
associated risks.
So are there associated risks
with Christian Service (Ministry)? The
answer is yes! There are associated
risks for just being a Christian; Jesus warned, “In this world you will have
trouble” (Jn 16:33b). The early Church
was bitterly persecuted, and the Hymnist captured it this way, “Mocked,
imprisoned, stoned, tormented, sawn asunder, slain with sword.” The Church
today still faces persecution in horrible ways, including isolation and being
disowned by loved ones. Persecution and
the like, in themselves, as harsh as they sound are really not the worse hazard
associated with Christian
Ministry
The worst I believe, is DISCOURAGEMENT, which can happen to any
Christian, no matter how spiritually matured. How does one arrive at
discouragement? Discouragement creeps
into our lives for various reasons and at different times. Discouragement can ensue when there’s not
enough support or cheering on (encouragement), not enough supplies to work
with, obstacles and threats in the way, and the absence of fruit. Discouragement, if not appropriately addressed
can lead to despondency and throwing in the towel.
First King 18 recaps for us
the contest between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel .
Elijah challenged those prophets to call on Baal to send down fire to
consume their sacrifice, which of course didn’t happen. On the other hand, God answered Elijah! When he called, fire came down from heaven,
burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up
the water in the trench. After
demonstrating that, “The Lord-He is God!
The Lord-He is God!” (1 Ki 18:39), Elijah had those prophets
killed. King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel swore
to kill Elijah in revenge. So what did
Elijah do? He ran for his life; he went
into hiding! He was so discouraged, he wanted to die. This was his prayer, “I have had enough,
Lord, take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Ki 19:4b).
Elijah was exhausted,
persecuted, and afraid, which then led to discouragement, to the point of
wishing he were dead (maybe he had no prayer support). Until he was discouraged, he was fine. He had challenged the people, “How long will
you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is
god follow him” (1 Ki 18:21). He had
also challenged the king without fear of
punishment, telling him, he and his father’s house had made trouble for Israel
(1Ki 18:18), and then taunted the prophets of Baal about their god who could be
asleep, deep in thought, busy, or travelling (1 Ki 18:27). Discouragement however, changed everything
for him; he threw in the towel!
Discouragement can be a
serious occupational hazard in Christian
Ministry
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