Restoring the Joy: Finding Our Strength in the Work

If you’ve been in the ministry, in service, or even just deep in the trenches of missionary preparation lately, you know what it feels like to be weary. It’s the kind of exhaustion that settles deep into your bones—the kind that comes from navigating constant change, unexpected hurdles, and the sheer weight of wanting to do good.

It reminds me a little of being in the field after a long stretch, or maybe after a big conference where everyone is running on fumes but the spirit is still calling us forward. We pour ourselves into the work—the teaching, the service, the building of Zion—and sometimes, the sheer effort feels monumental. We look at the calling, and it feels less like a joyful invitation and more like a marathon we can’t seem to find the last few miles for.

I was reflecting on a message recently that spoke directly to this feeling—the weariness of the shepherd, the laborer, the disciple who gives so much but feels depleted. It was a powerful reminder that even when the world around us—our local wards, our mission fields, our personal lives—feels chaotic, the source of our strength isn't the circumstance; it's the Shepherd Himself.

Restoring the Joy in the Labor

The speaker shared a beautiful prayer, asking for the restoration of joy in our labor. It’s a prayer every returned missionary needs to whisper to the Spirit sometimes. We are called to be workers in joy, not just workers in obligation. We are called to be disciples who bring the light, and that requires more than just good intentions; it requires a renewed spiritual reservoir.

The Antidote to Cynicism: Humility

What struck me most, after listening to that message, was the emphasis on the contrast between pride and humility. The world, and frankly, sometimes even the institutional pressures we face, can make leadership—any leadership, including being a disciple in the modern age—feel like a status symbol. We can get caught up in proving our worth, in being seen as the most knowledgeable, the most dedicated, or the most 'advanced' in our understanding of the gospel.

But the counsel rings so true for us rogue disciples: god opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. This isn't just for the formal leaders; it’s for every single one of us trying to be an internet missionary from our living rooms, our workplaces, or our study groups. Our greatest power isn't in our polished testimony or our perfect doctrinal knowledge; it’s in our willingness to be teachable, to admit when we don't know the answer, and to approach every interaction with genuine humility.

A Little Mission Prep Skill for Today

If you are feeling weary, remember that the Savior didn't call His disciples when they were at their peak performance; He called them when they were flawed, doubtful, and exhausted. When you feel that spiritual fatigue creeping in, don't try to power through it with sheer willpower. Instead, pause. Remember the quiet moments of the Spirit—the moments of stillness that allow the Lord to *restore* your soul. Take time to study the scriptures not just to *know* something, but to *feel* the Spirit guiding you.

Speaking of feeling guided, I highly recommend diving into the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful way to engage in scripture-discipleship with others without the pressure of a formal class. Seeing how others are highlighting verses or connecting concepts can be a powerful reminder that we are not walking this journey alone.

Join the Conversation

If you feel that ache of weariness, or if you're eager to recharge your spiritual batteries, please join us this week! We're hosting a casual gathering to discuss how to keep the joy in the work. It's a chance to share testimonies of how the Spirit has restored our enthusiasm for the gospel. Check the pinned posts for details on our next meet-up.

And for those who want to keep the momentum going between gatherings, don't forget about the free weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a bite-sized way to keep the gospel front-of-mind, no matter where you are.