As a pastor, you’re expected to live up to a high moral standard. But there are a lot of other expectations placed on your shoulders as well. One of them is the ability to never struggle with doubts, depression or discouragement.

But the truth is, every pastor has at some time or another wrestled with negative thoughts. You may never admit to them, but they’re there. Here are five things pastors sometimes think but may never say.

“I’m Not Good Enough.”

No matter your skill set, qualifications, education or experience, you’re certain to run up against something you just can’t master. You may be an expert in many other things, but you think that one last thing you’re missing could make all the difference. Too often, pastors allow such insecurities to cloud their entire ministry.

Remember that God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Trust God to fill in any gaps in your skills, and push into your areas of expertise.

“I Want Out.”

There likely will come a time when you feel you’ve had enough. One too many criticisms, conflicts or failures will push you over the line, and you’ll start looking for the “eject” button.

Every pastor experiences moments when he or she wants to leave it all behind. In fact, every stressful occupation has its share of ups and downs that push people to the breaking point. Ministry is no different. But consistently recommitting to your calling will help you see the power in sticking with it.

Remember that God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.

“No One Cares.”

Loneliness is a huge issue in pastoral ministry. When you’re at the top, you feel like there’s no room for anyone else to truly understand you. And that may make you think no one cares either.

These thoughts only fester in isolation. Wherever you find a community of believers, you will find loving care. Reaching out to show others you care is another way to find out that others care about you, too.

“I Don’t Like This Person.”

Any time you deal with people, you deal with personalities. And personalities invariably lead to personality conflicts. In pastoral ministry, it feels like it’s compounded because you’re expected to like everyone equally.

Fortunately, you don’t have to like everyone. Chances are, there are some people in your church you love to pastor but don’t love to be around socially. They may rub you the wrong way, but that doesn’t mean you’re not a good pastor.

“I Need Help.”

Some people expect pastors to be invulnerable — nothing touches them. So when you actually encounter a problem, you’re slow to address it. What would your church think if they knew you struggled?

In reality, they’re actually hoping you struggle. Because they struggle, too. And they want to know their pastor is real.

Perhaps you recall thinking some of these things over the years, or even yesterday. But have you ever said them out loud? There is incredible power when you actually verbalize the negative thoughts running through your mind in a safe environment. It’s the first step toward putting them under the lordship of Christ.

Seek God’s wisdom and the counsel of friends. And remember, you’re never alone in this great pastoral ministry.