Mourning a Situation
Have you ever mourned a process or a situation that wasn’t a person? I have—and I believe I’m in the middle of mourning right now.
I attended a church with a pastor who was dynamic. He had a gift for speaking to everyone at the level of their understanding. People of all ages would quote him and explain the message with excitement. Praise be to God, he was able to retire and not die in the pulpit. But his retirement came at a time when the world was in chaos—yes, the dreaded COVID years. He left the church in good hands and did everything he could to ensure its success.
Meanwhile, here I sit, finally admitting that six years ago I lost a foundational piece of my faith, and it hurt me. I still have my pastor as a friend, so I’m not mourning his life, but I must admit: I’m mourning his ministry.
Today I was speaking with a friend in Christ, and I had to confess that many of the challenges I’m facing in my current ministry are rooted in the fact that I’m mourning. The conversation started because I was letting ordinary things frustrate me. I took a hard look at my recent conversations and realized I haven’t been myself. I’ve been negative and frustrated, openly sharing that frustration with people who came to me in their frustration. I wasn’t modeling the Word for them—I was speaking from my flesh.
Then the Holy Spirit revealed something to me: I’m not frustrated with my ministry… I’m grieving.
WOW. That shook me. I jumped right into the new administration and kept working, never stopping to acknowledge that my heart was broken over the change. I miss my old pastor and the way he taught. Nothing against the new pastor—I love him and the new staff. He brings a strong Word, rooted in Scripture. But it’s not the same. Not worse. Not better. Just different.
I think, in my mind, I felt I needed to assimilate quickly into the new system to bring stability for the people who looked to me for direction. In that season, I just kept going—never stopping to breathe, never giving myself permission to not be okay for a moment.
So here I am, six years later, finally grieving—and with God’s help, moving forward stronger than ever.
So I ask you: Have you taken the time to grieve the people, seasons, or situations you’ve had to face? Have you taken the time to heal? I encourage you to look at your spiritual life and ask God to help you so that your frustrations don’t hinder the very people God has sent you to lead.
I love you, and I believe that acceptance is the next step to healing. Let’s heal together. And if this is not your story, please continue to pray for me on this journey.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ. If we have troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is so that we can comfort you. And this helps you patiently accept the same sufferings we have. Our hope for you is strong. We know that you share in our sufferings. So we know that you also share in our comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–7 (ERV)
