Eighteen year ago, I answered the call to youth ministry. Good, bad or ugly, I’m in this for the long haul. During that time, I’ve seen amazing things, stuff I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’ve also experienced my share of pain, stress and personal attacks. The worst part is that some of my hardest trials have come from the church.

In a perfect world, this never would happen, but this is not a perfect world—not even close. I’ve been confused and frustrated, and I’ve questioned why God would let this happen. The most unexpected thing is that I’m watching God use all this to draw me closer to Him, to put me in a place where daily faith in Him is my only option, as if I’m standing at the shore of the Red Sea waiting for a miracle. He either comes through, or things get very ugly.

The truth is, ministry can be a lonely place. Challenges that most Christians assume don’t exist for pastors and other leaders often are magnified due to the fact that only another ministry leader knows what we experience. Perhaps this is how God refines His servants. Whatever the reason, I’ve come to believe that’s the way it’s supposed to be—living on the precarious razor edge between faith and fear. Walking the ledge perched high above, the view is amazing but it’s a long way down!

Continuing in ministry means choosing faith instead of fear, but it’s not the path of least resistance. At first, it’s a very lonely feeling due to preoccupation with how high up we are. We’ve put ourselves out on limbs and are running out of options. The more we choose faith, and the longer we choose to stay on the edge, the more we become aware that we’re not alone. Fear slowly gives way to faith. If you dare to stay for the long haul, you’ll experience God’s presence as never before! It’s so strange that that’s how it works, but God’s Word is full of proof. Matthew 8 records the story of Jesus calming the storm. The disciples felt very alone, but then in the middle of a great crisis, they became aware they never were alone! Jesus’ words echo throughout the ages and lodge in the heart of every traveler who’s willing to walk the ledge. He said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” In the end, there’s no shortcut to living a life of faith. Without the storm, there can be no miracle of restored calm.

So pastor, leader, teacher, don’t surrender to fear. Don’t think the storm is something strange or a sign that God has abandoned you. He is with you in the storm and on the ledge perched high between faith and fear. The clouds are about to part. The wind and waves are about to disappear. Amazing things are about to happen!