I want to talk briefly about what we should do when we find ourselves battered and bruised and how we should respond to set-backs.
What do we do when we find ourselves tired? Alone? Fatigued? Battered? Bruised? Facing the reality of loss?
First of all, it would be impractical and even foolish to pretend as if the setbacks of life aren’t painful. They are! And the reason for the pain is to alert us that something isn’t yet fully redeemed, renewed and restored as God intends it to be. God is still working (on us and on the situation)
Second, if we don’t grieve the pain of loss we will never come to grips with whatever comes next. It hurts when we lose. Sometimes losses are minor and easily overcome. Sometimes they are much more difficult and are only overcome with time and God’s miraculous help. We should go to God with our pain and grief and let Him bring comfort (and perspective) to our souls.
Third it is important and necessary that we nurse our wounds. If we don’t ever treat our wounds we might find ourselves lapsing further into un-health and dis-ease. It is okay and necessary that we apply the necessary treatments, salves and medicine to the wounds so that we might heal. God has availed much to us through the Bible, through prayer and worship and especially in fellowship with other Believers but also in a special way through Sabbath rest (cease laboring/stiving and believe that He is God!) and through Christian counseling/therapy/accountability/etc. Please do what is necessary to find the treatment that you need to bring health to your soul.
Finally, I would like to close this email by saying that as important as it is to mourn our losses and nurse our wounds, we also must get up and keep going! Psalm 23 reminds us that we “walk through” the valley of the shadow of death, not that we pitch our tents there! So whether it is a strained relationship, hurt feelings, emotional fatigue, or any other painful experience/memory, let us keep going, in the name of Jesus and by the power that He provides, not getting bitter, never giving up on living lives pleasing to the Lord and seeking to actively participate in His mission to share His love and gospel with a hurting world.
Thank you so much for continuing to pray for and offer help/encouragement one to another! Let us continue to help carry one another’s burdens and let us never, never, never give up on the calling we have received but instead let us keep on until we see the miracle(s) that we know God will bring in His perfect way and His perfect timing!
Believing God and trusting Him!
Mike J
Pastor Michael Johnson 