{"id":13973,"date":"2026-03-09T09:30:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T13:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=13973"},"modified":"2026-08-07T11:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T15:50:09","slug":"results-of-an-assessment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/results-of-an-assessment.htm","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Like the Results of an Assessment?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let’s be real. An assessment of our church or ministry<\/a> may lead to results we don’t like. We may face significant challenges for which we have insignificant resources. How easily discouragement can set in, leading to a sense of defeat and urge to give up.<\/p>\n

Solution to What Seems Like Insurmountable Assessment Results<\/h2>\n

\"Solution<\/a>
\nThe psalmist said, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13). — What gave him such confidence?<\/p>\n

Think back to when God disciplined David for adultery (2 Sam. 12:14-23). Though God took the life of the child born out of sin, David clung to hope that he would one day see that child again. He obviously believed in the resurrection of the dead.<\/p>\n

We have an even greater foundation for such confidence. We have Jesus, the firstborn from among the dead (Col. 1:18). Because He lives, having been raised from the dead, we too have reason to hope and take confidence. As an old, well-known song goes:<\/p>\n

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
\nBecause He lives, all fear is gone
\nBecause I know He holds the future
\nAnd life is worth a living just because He lives<\/p>\n

Hope in Even the Bleakest Situations<\/h2>\n

Note how in David’s case that the child still died, the bleakest of results. Prior to the child’s death, he pleaded with God and fasted. After the child died, he moved forward, saying, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Sam. 12:22-23).<\/p>\n

Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope of rising above even the bleakest of results in an assessment. Perhaps God will provide what we need or maybe He’ll send us in a new direction. Of course, no one wants to see a church die, yet, can we believe that God will bring good even out of that (Rom. 8:28)? We will if we believe in resurrection power. — “His incomparably great power … the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 1:19-20).<\/p>\n

The psalmist, after saying, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord”, continued with an exhortation. He said, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14) The idea of “waiting” suggests that we may not always see the good God has in store for us right away. But, when we truly believe in resurrection power, even the bleakest of results don’t have to send us into despair.<\/p>\n

For More on These Topics:<\/p>\n