(written by a BBFI missionary serving in a Creative Access Nation)

Ministry for missionaries in a cross-cultural setting is not for the faint of heart. Through the twenty years of ministry in the Middle East we have encountered trial upon trial. It would be untrue to say there have not been times when hands go into the air and words on the lips declare, “Why even be here!?” However, the greater obstacles for missionaries are not always the events that impact the daily life of a missionary. The greater obstacles come in the form of the spiritual battles being fought in the heart of the missionary. Uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and depression are at the center of missionary struggles. While our influences over external circumstances are limited, we are encouraged to seek the work of God in our personal sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:19-22, the apostle Paul speaks of the workings of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit for followers of Jesus. Obviously, though not mentioned except in Paul’s words of “similar things,” fear is a work of the flesh.

Three examples of the Holy Spirit’s fruit help to counter fear or anxiety that can cripple God’s people. They are fruit that carry missionaries through fear, disappointment, and difficulties. Note that the fruit is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. It is not our work but His work; yet there are ways to cultivate the ground so the fruit may abound.

Self-control

You cannot control the circumstances you encounter, but we serve a God who does. Look for opportunities to expand your faith to grow in such a way that fear becomes its captive. Believe God. What he has called you to, He is faithful to accomplish. Suffering or even death is to never to be seen as a loss. The suffering or loss that comes with being a missionary has much to offer as a disciple. Saint Ignatius of Antioch in the 2^nd century stated that to be a perfect disciple of Christ means to imitate His passion, to share in it, to be united with Christ in suffering. As he was being taken to Rome to be fed to the lions in the arena, he stated, “Now I can begin to be a disciple.” It has always been recognized that being a disciple of Jesus carries with it a purpose to be like Christ. If becoming a missionary is simply a calling to exotic destinations, to explore and do outlandish activities, for a short-term high to put in a resume, blog, or on social media, it is far removed from the understanding of the many faithful disciples and missionaries of the past who desired one thing, to be approved unto God.

Patience (longsuffering)

One of the greatest dreads as a missionary is going to any government office to accomplish what should be the simplest of tasks. A simple twenty-minute task may take an entire day, or two or three days. Patience may be a virtue, but it is also overrated when dealing with bureaucracy. We can all become impatient, especially with the things we cannot control. Endurance or perseverance is a key to the survival of the missionary. Paul spoke to the many perils he encountered on his journeys. Beatings, rejection, shipwrecks, and there were times where he sat in prisons for extended periods. Other times he patiently worked as a tentmaker through the day and preached through the evenings to see churches established. Yet, he endured.

It is important to see each encounter that is out of our control as an opportunity. To accomplish that, we must examine our own intentions and expectations, making sure they are in line with God’s.

Peace

Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Sometimes peace of the heart is an obstacle; however, Jesus wants more. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that Jesus’ disciples were not only to have peace, but they should also be makers of peace. How is that to be accomplished? First, seek the peace of others. Begin by seeking the peace of the people. We live in a part of the world where peace is a distant reality. Yet, as followers of Jesus we seek the peace of those we are reaching by introducing them to the great Peacemaker. Being ministers of the Gospel, missionaries must be standing in the gap to bring the Good News of reconciliation. Second, seek personal peace. Personal peace for the missionary can only come through the time that is spent with Jesus Christ. There is no great plan for self-help and meditation to take away the inner conflicts that are faced when living in a distant land, a different culture, among a deviant people. Only in the daily presence of Jesus Christ, can we seek and find personal peace through the daily difficulties of intercultural trials. Third, make peace with the fact that God will keep His promises. When leaning heavily into the Word of God, a missionary can always find peace in the promises of God’s Word. A few years ago, as I was in a hospital bed, close to death, a regular thought processed in my mind. God, I always believed you had more for me to do in ministry among Muslims. Why, would this be the direction He would take me? Through the reading of the Bible and prayer, I always understood that nothing He ever does is a waste of time and process. Every circumstance, hardship, and pain will open the door for opportunity.

One evening as I was alone in the hospital room, a male nurse came to my side and stood over me. He had been attending me for several weeks and we had few conversations as he made his rounds, but this night he just stood there and looked at me. He put his hand on my arm and said, “I have watched you for weeks. You have been in such pain, your health continues to decline, and many people come to see you and love you. Can I ask, why are you not angry? Why are you always at peace when I see you? How can you always smile and be so pleasant to be around, even when you suffer so much?” I told Hamid, a Muslim, that his questions only answered my own questions that I had for God. Even, Hamid was an answer to my prayers and God was giving me the opportunity to meet him and share with him my peace in Jesus. We shared my faith and proclaimed the peace that God truly wanted for him and for all. Then I asked to pray for him. I am not sure that he made a decision there, but I do know he left the room with tears in his eyes and the hope of Christ to consider. Making peace with God will always bring personal peace that can be shared with others in any circumstance we face.