Living on the plains of North America during the Spring months almost always brings a long stretch of very windy days. Sure, there are windy periods throughout the year, but my memories of wind, especially in March, are filled with strings of days and weeks that stretch tirelessly on and on. It seemed like simple tasks we took for granted like walking from the house to the car were difficult due to the incessant presence and force of the wind.
I now live in a more hilly part of the country where trees are everywhere. A couple of years ago we experienced a weather phenomenon called a derecho where sustained straight-line winds took trees down in its path. I now know why there are not many trees on the plains. On the plains we could have called a derecho….March.
Day after day, week after week the wind would beat against every effort one made merely to exist. This type of wind in March comes on the heals of winter. It hits while we are looking for the hope and new life of spring. In the midst of this great anticipation, the wind hits and delays dreams and plans we have for the season to come. Needless to say…
…March never has been a favorite month of mine.
I remember one March that was particularly windy. Everyone was growing fatigued from the relentless wind. Nearing the end of March that year, Mom and I were walking from the back door of our home when she stopped. Standing perfectly still she asked,
“Do you hear that?”
Too focused on making it to the car, I asked her what she was talking about.
“Do you hear the birds?”
You see, the wind had been so strong and relentless that particular March that the melodious songs of the birds had been absent from daily life. It was almost as if our Lord had calmed the stormy sea for a group of frightened, fatigued fishermen.
[thrive_headline_focus title=”Are You Stuck In March?” orientation=”left”]
I have not really noticed the actual calendar month of March for the past few years. This is mostly because in the seasons of life itself I have been stuck in an extended “March” that has followed a dark “winter.” Just as I was coming out of that dark winter and was looking forward with great anticipation to the dreams of the future, I was hit with the “winds” of circumstances of life. As the winds continued to blow day after day, month after month, and year after year, I became fatigued and felt beaten down.
The past few years have been a time of healing and moving into “spring.” I realized how far I have come because I actually noticed the effects of the calendar month of March this year. The other day I heard the birds as they freely and joyously released their songs of praise into the springtime air that is trying to relinquish the grasp of winter.
Yes, spring is upon us. The trees are budding. New life is manifesting itself all around.
The season of Lent is slowly but surely surrendering to the joy we have in the eternal significance of Resurrection Sunday.
In my life I can thankfully say that I can once again hear the birds singing. They are like the “still small voice” of our Creator saying, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Some of you have been beaten and attacked by circumstances in life. Some have even been shamelessly attacked by church leaders. The unfortunate reality of ministry in a fallen world is there are so many ministers who are victims of “Christian Friendly Fire.”
[clickToTweet tweet=”Discouraged #Minister, God has a wonderful “spring” for you filled with a hope and a future.” quote=”Discouraged Minister, God has a wonderful “spring” for you filled with a hope and a future.”]
[thrive_headline_focus title=”Action Steps” orientation=”left”]
A key part of a healthy minfrasTructure is taking care of you, the minister. Whether you are still on a church staff and going through an extremely discouraging time or you have been wrongfully terminated, here are 6 action steps you should follow. There may be other steps as you seek professional counsel, but these 6 are helpful as you travel this journey.
1. Get physical exercise and proper fuel
You must guard your health. You are walking a very stressful journey. Daily exercise will help relieve the affects of the stress on your body. It will help your mood. It will help you think more clearly. And most importantly, it will help you have the strength to minister to your family who is most likely hurting, too.
2. Continue to listen for God's voice
Our natural human desire is to want to know why this is happening. Spending time in prayer, Bible reading, and simply sitting still helps us to look at things through the new lenses we now wear. It may not provide the answers you desire in the time you desire them, but it will help to forge a deeper bond with your Heavenly Father who has experienced the pains of attack, rejection, accusation, and abandonment that are deeper than you or I ever will experience.
3. Journal your journey
This provides a healthy way for you to process your thoughts and feelings as you walk this journey. As time goes by you will be able to look back and be thankful for how God brought you through the pain to be able to be a blessing and encouragement to others who travel a similar journey.
4. Seek a safe support group
This may be a small group or simply a couple of close, trusted friends who are there to provide you wisdom, encouragement, and friendship. Do not walk this journey alone.
5. Seek counseling
Working through the hurt and pain often needs the assistance of professionals who are experienced in walking with you through the journey. Many denominations offer counseling to ministers. A couple of great resource are the Ministering to Minsters Foundation and Potter's Inn.
6. Attend a wellness retreat
- The Ministering to Ministers Foundation offers wellness retreats. Click here to learn more.
- Potter's Inn offers soul care retreats for leaders in ministry and the marketplace. Click here to learn more.
[thrive_headline_focus title=”So, do you hear that?” orientation=”left”]
A still small voice….
[pullquote align=”normal” cite=” 1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/1KI.19.11-13.NIV”]11) The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12) After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13) When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”[/pullquote]
[pullquote align=”normal” cite=”Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/JER.29.11.NIV”]For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.[/pullquote]
[pullquote align=”normal” cite=”James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/JAS.1.12.NIV”]Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.[/pullquote]
[thrive_headline_focus title=”Question” orientation=”left”]
What words of wisdom and/or encouragement do you have for ministers who are going through discouraging times?
image courtesy © lightstock.com / KevinCarden