When Ministry Feels Heavy

A 14-Day Encouragement Devotional for Pastors

Ministry is sacred work.
But it can also be heavy work.

If you’ve ever felt unseen…
spiritually tired…
discouraged by slow progress…
or quietly tempted to quit —
this devotional was written for you.

When Ministry Feels Heavy is a 14-day encouragement guide created specifically for pastors and ministry leaders who carry unseen burdens and rarely get poured into themselves.

This is not a leadership manual.
Not a productivity system.
Not a theological workbook.

It is a quiet place for your own soul.

Each day includes:

• A carefully chosen Scripture passage
• A reflective devotional written in a pastoral voice
• Honest encouragement for real ministry struggles
• Gentle heart-level questions (not homework)
• A closing prayer
• A simple takeaway to carry with you

Topics you’ll walk through:

• Feeling unseen in ministry
• Spiritual exhaustion
• Doubting your calling
• Staying spiritually fed
• The loneliness of leadership
• Guarding your marriage and family
• Dealing with criticism
• When progress feels slow
• Feeling inadequate
• When God feels silent
• Resisting the urge to quit
• Gaining long-term perspective
• Not letting emotions define your calling

These are not quick social-media devotionals.
Each reading is immersive, thoughtful, and written like a personal conversation — not a checklist.

Who this is for:

• Senior pastors
• Associate pastors
• Worship pastors
• Student pastors
• Small-group pastors
• Pastors serving behind the scenes
• Anyone shepherding people and quietly carrying weight

As a former pastor myself, I know what it feels like to always be pouring out —
and rarely being poured into.

This devotional is meant to be a quiet place to breathe,
to be honest with God, and to remember why you were called.

About pricing

This resource is offered on a pay-what-you-can basis.

Suggested support: $4.00

If you’re able to contribute, your support helps me continue creating Christ-centered resources for pastors and the church.

If finances are tight, you’re welcome to enter $0
and receive this as a gift — no pressure, no guilt.

Instant download

• PDF format
• Read on phone, tablet, or computer
• Print if you prefer a physical copy

If ministry feels heavy right now,
you are not weak — you are human.
And you are not alone.

When Ministry Feels Heavy
is here to walk with you.

— Brian Sloan
LivingPraying.com