After going through one of the most heartwrenching experiences of my youth ministry career, I soon found myself jobless and homeless. I have a wife and daughter who desperately needed me to have an income and a place to live, but time was up. We had to move out of the parsonage. Thank God we quickly found a place to live for free or I really don’t know what would have happened to us.

As much as I wanted to be back in ministry, I needed to heal. The next year, I wrestled with hundreds of questions. I wrestled with bad memories. I asked God why I had such a hard time forgiving the people who hurt me. This went on for a very long time.

Throughout this time, I sought help. I went to a few men who were seasoned ministers for advice. What I found was surprising. Each of the guys who I talked to went through very similar experiences, but their healing processes were very different. I was frustrated because I wanted the right answer; I wanted my answer so I could move forward. I was looking for the right words to make my heart stop hurting, but none of them could give those words to me. I had peace that I wasn’t alone in my struggle, but I was still restless.

One afternoon, a friend called me and told me about a ministry that needed a youth minister. As I followed this lead, I took personality tests, had phone interviews, and went to visit and speak. When I thought I officially had the job, they asked me to come back for one more interview. I traveled by myself for the last phase. It was only a two-hour drive, and I thought it would be a good time for me to be alone in the car and think.

The interview went great. I was able to meet more people. I was able to be myself and laugh with them. Then, we wrapped up, and I had the drive back.

I left late, which meant night driving. I love night driving. I usually crank up the music and become part of the band. Tonight was different. I just breathed and kept driving.

Once again, my restless thoughts kept me from relaxing. “What is stopping me from getting over my past? I am excited about my new church, but I have so many scars. As I sat in silence and turned the music off, it hit me—the answer I needed to hear. I remembered seeing an image of a lion. It was an older lion, and it had scars on its face. The scars didn’t reveal the lion had been defeated, but had survived many battles. Then, my issue was met with truth. My scars didn’t reveal I was a failure, but that I was a fighter.

Ministry transition is difficult, especially when it’s unfair or unexpected; but the time you have used to invest in students never is wasted. During that season, you were called to be there. In anger, you may say it wasn’t worth it. The amazing part of youth ministry is this: Even in success, you still may not see all you have done. Be encouraged in all seasons of your career; you are a fighter not a failure.