A New Year
Okay, so I got a late start on the 2010 blogging (What else is new!) I was freezing in -22 below weather in Minnesota and I am just thawing out now . . .
It was during that time I did what I knew was right, what I had learned over the years. At times I felt as if I was living by fake not faith. It was then I truly understood what faith is all about. You see folks, it was not a trial I was enduring nor a battle I was fighting. My family was fine, my marriage was great and the ministry was doing well.
Stay The Course
Like a GPS that will only give direction when other options are coming up in the road otherwise it will say nothing. It will just say “stay on I-5 south” only when another highway is coming up.
At that moment in my life I truly come to appreciate the value of faith. My faith was not in faith but in the Lord of my faith. I had to do the things I knew how to do even when I felt nothing in the process. I read, prayed, preached and counseled even when I was in a time of emptiness. I worshipped and gave thanks even though there was an emotional disconnect.
I was very transparent with my church during those times. It was risky because minister’s at times don’t want to reveal their weaknesses for fear of losing the respect of those they minister to. That thinking keeps us lock away into solitary confinement, where hope is lost. This why we see so many spiritual hero’s fall over the years because we have failed to provide the one thing Jesus said we would be known by, LOVE.
Jesus went through all the ranges of human emotions as well. In his last hours on earth, He surrounded Himself with His disciples. The worse thing you can do during those times is to isolate yourself. We need each other. If you are facing a rough time and are struggling between faith & fake, confide in an spiritually mature accountability partner. They might not provide answers but they can lend support.
Don’t Make Any Major Decisions
When you are in that down time do not make any major decisions. It is at this time that many of us make decisions to leave a spouse, quit a job, leave a church or walk out on a family. Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary circumstance.
You will weather this storm. We all go through these times and not all these experiences are spiritually connected at times could be a physiological issue. You see we all have waves in our emotional make up. Like it or not we are emotional beings and our emotions can affect us at times.
These times tend to make you think that no one understands what you are going. You feel as if you are the only one going through this struggle. It can develop a sense of embarrassment.
I wondered out loud in my prayer time, how can I be going through this . . . I am the pastor! It was then I read a story of a well known pastor who on a jog found himself sitting on a street corner weeping uncontrollably. He was having a breakdown. This actual brought relief to my soul, that I was not alone. Others are facing the same struggle. I am not crazy! (Although some would argue that point)
If you are facing this please know you are not a bad person, you are just going through a tough time. We all do. Hang in there. You will come out of this and be able to celebrate the New Year as I have this year!
The best is yet to come!
Tags: Alone, course, decisions, faith, fake, overwhelmed, transparent