IPHC Ministers' Wives Fellowship

Life In The Fishbowl

by Jewelle E. Stewart
Executive Director, Women's Ministries

As the wife of someone who celebrates his 50^th anniversary as an IPHC minister this year, I understand life in the “fishbowl!” Mercifully, more latitude is granted today than way back then, but people still hold a minister and his/her family to a higher standard – and rightly so. After all, if we say like Apostle Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” our goal should be to present a godly lifestyle every day. But struggles do come when responsibilities beyond our own family (wife, mother, mother in the church, and co-pastor without the title) seem heavier than what we thought we bargained for. The challenge to be “all that to all people” often stretches us to the edge of endurance. In those moments the mind becomes a major battle ground (II Corinthians 10:3-5). “Been there, done that, have the tee-shirt,” right? Common tactics the enemy uses include…

Feelings of being second (or last) place on our mate’s priority list
Being used by some who wants to get the preacher’s ear by going through you
Having to smile when dealing with disappointments (or when you’d like to tell someone what you really think!)
Frustration when those you counsel ignore common sense advice
Concern for the family’s health when health insurance is not an option
Dealing with the fact that secular employment with the same level of responsibilities would mean more income…with benefits
Or, thoughts that you’d rather be somewhere else than “this church”

Can you relate? You are not alone! Minister’s wives everywhere come under similar attack. You see, if we can be weakened or taken out of action, our assignments can and will be thwarted. However, we have weapons that can and will insure our peace (translate “sanity”) and a sweet spirit in our souls. A few minutes each day in prayer – the earlier, the better – will keep a right perspective and provide strength; developing a prayer-partnership with another minister’s wife or sister you trust is invaluable; and, becoming proficient in the use of your Sword is a most powerful weapon! Even using an index card to write some “I am…” statements from the May MWF devotional, placing those cards at strategic places throughout your home and, when in the various areas, reading them out loud becomes an easy way to memorize what God says about you. God’s Word, prayer, and a trustworthy confidant are powerful and effective weapons when put to use by godly women! Remember this and be encouraged:

All your days were ordained before even one came to be (Psalm 139:13-17) (Being the wife of a minister is part of that plan.)

You were created to do good works; God prepared them in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10)
Your steps are ordered by the Lord and He delights in you (Psalm 37:23)
You have all you need to be victorious (Romans 8:37; Eph. 6:10-18)
God has designed wonderful things for you (see Jeremiah 29:11)

You really have been given all you need to live an abundant, full and victorious life even in the “fishbowl!”


				Join the Ministers' Wives Fellowship Discussion Group If you are a minister's wife or a woman in ministry, you can join this email discussion group. Share ideas, recipes, prayer needs, words of encouragement for needs that only other women in ministry would understand. This is a restricted private list so you must have the list password in order to join. You may obtain that password from your conference MWF director. Use the following link to go to the Join Page. JOIN MWF DISCUSSION GROUP

		Life In The Fishbowl by Jewelle E. Stewart Executive Director, Women's Ministries As the wife of someone who celebrates his 50^th anniversary as an IPHC minister this year, I understand life in the “fishbowl!” Mercifully, more latitude is granted today than way back then, but people still hold a minister and his/her family to a higher standard – and rightly so. After all, if we say like Apostle Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” our goal should be to present a godly lifestyle every day. But struggles do come when responsibilities beyond our own family (wife, mother, mother in the church, and co-pastor without the title) seem heavier than what we thought we bargained for. The challenge to be “all that to all people” often stretches us to the edge of endurance. In those moments the mind becomes a major battle ground (II Corinthians 10:3-5). “Been there, done that, have the tee-shirt,” right? Common tactics the enemy uses include… Feelings of being second (or last) place on our mate’s priority list Being used by some who wants to get the preacher’s ear by going through you Having to smile when dealing with disappointments (or when you’d like to tell someone what you really think!) Frustration when those you counsel ignore common sense advice Concern for the family’s health when health insurance is not an option Dealing with the fact that secular employment with the same level of responsibilities would mean more income…with benefits Or, thoughts that you’d rather be somewhere else than “this church” Can you relate? You are not alone! Minister’s wives everywhere come under similar attack. You see, if we can be weakened or taken out of action, our assignments can and will be thwarted. However, we have weapons that can and will insure our peace (translate “sanity”) and a sweet spirit in our souls. A few minutes each day in prayer – the earlier, the better – will keep a right perspective and provide strength; developing a prayer-partnership with another minister’s wife or sister you trust is invaluable; and, becoming proficient in the use of your Sword is a most powerful weapon! Even using an index card to write some “I am…” statements from the May MWF devotional, placing those cards at strategic places throughout your home and, when in the various areas, reading them out loud becomes an easy way to memorize what God says about you. God’s Word, prayer, and a trustworthy confidant are powerful and effective weapons when put to use by godly women! Remember this and be encouraged: All your days were ordained before even one came to be (Psalm 139:13-17) (Being the wife of a minister is part of that plan.) You were created to do good works; God prepared them in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10) Your steps are ordered by the Lord and He delights in you (Psalm 37:23) You have all you need to be victorious (Romans 8:37; Eph. 6:10-18) God has designed wonderful things for you (see Jeremiah 29:11) You really have been given all you need to live an abundant, full and victorious life even in the “fishbowl!”

		Last update on 9/29/2008 ©IPHC Ministries. All rights reserved