"You can’t aggressively serve God and not face attack and testing"
http://z.about.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/C/3/badday.jpg
This is Not  
Urban Legend
This is Not
Just Playing
Attacks 
Really 
Happen
We have seen 
the wounded
and the dead
You may not personally 
know any persecuted 
people
Soft attacks...
"Oh, she persecuted me 
when she looked at me like that!"
- Bob Roberts Jr. 
How to handle Attack in the Ministry
More than just coping
http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//0000/100/90/8/50198.jpg
1.  Keep your heart pure. 
2.  Don’t let offenses pile up. 
3.  Listen to people who love you. 
4.  Have a group you entrust yourself to.
5.  Stay true to your calling. 
6.  Glorify God in all you do.
Start your day off on your knees in the word of God.  Pray until your heart is broken, soft, and open.
 People are going to sin against you - it’s not fun.  People will accuse you falsely; judge your motives, gossip to 30 people in the guise of asking for prayer.  See it for what it is - the flesh of man.  If you don’t, you’re going to be the ultimate pleaser of men or worse you’ll be one tough, angry, cuss of a preacher. 
You’re not perfect.  Your wife, your kids, your parents, your close friends, your staff, your leadership - don’t make yourself Jesus.  God has called you to a mission, but that mission doesn’t make you right in everything.  Every preacher who has ever fallen - had people warning him along the way, but he refused to listen.
One of the greatest things I thank God for is our elders at NorthWood - they are not staff, they are church members - but their focus is not just on church issues - they aren’t afraid to challenge me and love me.  I wish I would have understood the concept of elders 25 years ago - I would have done it a lot sooner.  I also have 3 pastors that I listen to as they speak into my life and ministry.  You’d better have someone you can be honest and open with.
4.  Have a group you entrust yourself to.
3.  Listen to people who love you. 
2.  Don’t let offenses pile up. 
1.  Keep your heart pure. 
The last time you’ll do something unanimous is when you have more than 100 people.  Everyone will have a word, a direction, an instruction, a vision - and if you don’t know what God has called you to, you’ll get off track - when that happens, you lose God’s anointing on your life.  Conferences, speakers, and books can help you - but they can’t call you or direct you - only God can do that.  His will is not found in the latest thing, but in his heart.
5.  Stay true to your calling. 
 How do you do that?  When you sin, admit it and repent.  When Satan is attacking you - rebuke him and have people praying for you sharing it with those that are closest to you.  When God is testing you - like Matt Chandler - glorify God like Matt, knowing he’s in control and he loves you and is making you more in his image. 
6.  Glorify God in all you do.
Philippians 4:8; 2 Timothy 2:22
Philippians 4:8-9
"whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and wreceived and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and ythe God of peace will be with you."
http://ref.ly/Pp4
2 Timothy 2:22
"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord pfrom a pure heart"
http://ref.ly/2Ti2.22