Many women in ministry would say that they started out zealous and ready to be a part of God's plan to win others to Him and to help people. That is what ministry is about, helping people and leading them to Jesus.
No training manual exists that gives the A-Z on how to succeed in ministry by making a great impact for God's Kingdom. The Bible should be our manual. For most of us, the struggle is trying to decipher how to apply it to every situation we face. However, the Word of God has every answer we need.
Here are five battles pastor's wives encounter on their journey:
1. Finding God's purpose for their life. There are women throughout this world that are searching for some kind of significance and purpose in their life. They try to find answers through college, ministry, career, marriage or being a mother. We do not have one purpose that we search for, find and that's it. We can live purposeful lives where we are in God's will, doing what He wants us to do. We can feel His presence through it all, even when it gets tough. Your purpose is tied into your relationship with Jesus and asking yourself, "Are you where He wants you to be?"
2. Doing a job they are not always good at or that they may not want to do. This is a tough one, especially for a pastor's wife that helped their husband pioneer a church or for one that's very hands on. Sometimes the job can be "whatever it takes," even if you have to do something you are not good at. This is very challenging for a pastor's wife.
Your desire is to help and support your husband, and help people, yet you feel insecure or like a failure because you can't seem to get it right. Sometimes it can conflict with your husband, as at times he can be the boss. This takes trusting God and being faithful until God shows you a clearer picture of what you need to do or what you are called to do.
3. Keeping a balance between marriage, children and ministry. This is a daily battle. We all desire to be the best wife, mother and minister possible, but life will throw you so many things that distract you and pull on you. It can seem like you are always trying to catch up and there is never enough time. I have found that God's Word is true when it says we do not need to be anxious about everything but to pray. Prayer is the balance. Cast your cares to the Lord and know that He is the best planner of your days.
4. Insecurity. As a pastor's wife, you can at times work behind the scenes or you may even start ministries and see others take them over. This can challenge your confidence if you don't get a good perspective on your role. You have to be cautious of not allowing the enemy to make you feel insecure with the women you work with or minister to.
Be confident in the Lord and know that He has called you to be a leader in your ministry with whatever gifts and talents you may have. For some pastor's wives, it may be just your smile every week that encourages a woman coming through the door with a bunch of little ones, or a warm hug that can make anyone struggling feel better.
5. Feeling like a failure. This is a big one for the woman that has been at it for a while and simply can't seem to get it right. John Maxwell says it best: you must fail forward. Every one of us experiences failure. It's how you respond that determines your success.
Whether you are working with your husband or supporting him as a pastor's wife, know that God is very pleased with you. You have given your life to help your husband pastor God's people. That is not an easy task and it takes people that are selfless to humbly serve God's people and lead them to Him.
Pastor's wives are some of the strongest women around, and every church should be grateful for them. 
Along with her husband, Pastor Luis Reyes, Tricia Reyes is the co-founder of The New Church Of Joy in Waukegan, Illinois. She is a blogger and author and helps manage her daughter Madison's (Maddie Rey) Music Ministry. She is a devoted wife as well as mother to Madison and Matthew and loves the Lord with all her heart! To learn more about Tricia's ministry or to book her for a Women's Event/Conference visit her website at triciareyes.com or thenewchurchofjoy.com.
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