Loving Dearly While Hurting Deeplyby Dr. Geraldine Harris-McInnis
Perhaps on your ministerial course you have been stabbed in the back or slapped on the cheek by those you have guided, comforted or loved over the years. You may want to retaliate or use your precious gift of preaching as a weapon of destruction. Please do not allow people to cause you to lose your effectiveness in ministry or your position in the Kingdom of God.
Remember Moses. He was so distraught at the disobedient and disgruntled followers until he disobeyed the instructions of God. He allowed his flesh to dictate to him how to respond to a negative situation. The people were consistently complaining that they were thirsty. So, God instructed Moses to take the rod, gather the people and "speak to the rock." Moses instead lost his temper and "hit the rock." (read Numbers 20:1-13) ) Since Moses showed dishonor and distrust to God's commandments, he lost his place of entrance into the promised land.
Let's not allow irritations to cause us to make irrational moves and decisions in ministry. Allow the Lord to pull out the dagger, blow a kiss on your cheek and heal the assaulted areas. We must remember that we are speaking truth into lives that are on the thresholds of destiny. However, if you react according to how you feel it may cause needless consequences regarding your own destiny.
Yes, there will be times when you must confront, correct and chastise those you love. You may even say "This will hurt me more than it'll hurt you?" All you have to do is speak the truth in love and watch their help and deliverance come. The bible states to "Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2Tim. 3:2
Maybe, it was a close friend or business partner who deceptively undermined you.
Remember David. He said in the scriptures that "it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company." (Psalm 55:12-14) David later declared that "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." (Psalm 55:21)
In his candidness David shared how he dealt with this hurtful situation. "As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord, shall save me." (Psalm 55:16). He later left a word of encouragement in verse 22: "Cast thy burdens upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Remember Jesus. Jesus, who had never sinned, was tested, tempted and brutally mistreated throughout the course of his earthly ministry. If He was crucified and died on behalf of sinful humanity surely we, as preachers of the gospel, will have our personal crosses to bear. "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him..." (Luke 23:33) "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34)
I pray that you will continue to move forward as you love dearly even during times of disappointment, pain or adversity. Each tear will add richness and value to your treasure chest in life. Let the struggles from your pain promote you to that new dimension in Christ!
Dr. Geraldine McInnis lives in Bowie, MD and is joined in marriage and ministry with her husband Larry for over 30 years. They have three adult children and one grandson.Geraldine earned her Masters Degree in Christian Counseling and a Doctorate in Theology. She is a crisis interventionist and has pastored for over 16 years.She is one of the refreshing prophetic voices in the Christian arena. Visit Dr. Mom at: www.DrLadyGMcInnis.org and www.myspace.com/dr_gmcinnis