One of my fathers gave me a very thought provoking counsel after a long conversation with him. We spoke about the challenges in ministry, the frustrations, the hardships and glorious moments as well. As we were about ending our conversation, he gave me a quick counsel that has greatly helped me. He said, Osofo Love: Four things you never ignore in ministry: 1. Don’t put your trust in any human being- dead or alive. It’s an abomination. Not in any member, not in any financier, not in anyone’s promise. Learn to constantly put your absolute dependence on God. You can bank on that. The arm of flesh will fail. 2. Expect the best, but prepare for the worst- We must all expect the best for expectation is the force of faith….Expect great things but prepare for financial loss, prepare to be sacked from your venue, prepare to have a loss, prepare to loose some key members, prepare to have low church attendance. I never wish this to happen but prepare for them and even for the worse. How well you have prepared will determine how you’ll recover when the worse happens. 3. Live your life- Spend sometime with your family. Be happy. Don’t let members and the pressures of ministry make you old. Dont let the constant problems of members rob you of your joy and happiness. Sometime go for vacation and just sleep and relax. Switch off your phone and spend time alone with wife and family. For once live as though no one exists. It will give you a refreshment and calmness and strength no fasting and long prayers can give you. The place of rest is also the place of power. 4. Do your best and leave the rest to God- Read your Bible, pray, fast, do visitations, evangelism, put structures in place and leave the rest to God. I know you have read books on church growth, attended church growth conferences and you want it badly but growth comes from God. Paul planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase. Don’t be lazy, God doesn’t reward laziness but honors labor. But don’t be frustrated or call yourself a failure when increase hasn’t yet come. It surely will. Do your very best, give it all you’ve got and learn to leave the rest to God. You know who shared this with me? Prophet Nanasei Opoku-Sarkodie. God bless you papa for the privilege. These words have greatly impacted me.