In my 25 years of ministry this is one of the main intersections that I have seen such horrible crashes occur at in leaders.
Going into ministry there is such a sense of purity of heart to help, build, empower, strengthen people, to love them and invest so they can aspire to God’s purposes.
THEN IT HAPPENS!
Someone in your ministry you love and invested mass amounts of time with, TURNS ON YOU! They start saying how evil you are. They do not recognize the love, the care, the hours, they now only spew venom at you. Your head is spinning! Your sleep is fleeting! You strive to understand how one minute you could be their loving pastor, and now you are Satan’s tool. The emotions, the rejection, the broken heart are what is rushing through your vessel.
I want to say this with all love, GET USED TO IT!
HURT, REJECTION, WOUNDS, BETRAYAL is part of the rest of your life when you choose to lead God’s people.
Jesus was rejected by His family, nation, friends………
SO THE ISSUE IS NOT IF IT COMES, BUT WHAT TO DO TO KEEP YOURSELF FROM RESENTMENT AND BITTERNESS WHEN IT COMES.
HOW DO WE NOT GET BITTER? Heb 12:15b, lest any root of bitterness spring up to trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
Learn to FORGET!!
What?
I have made a choice to become forgetful! When the wound comes (not if), when the betrayal happens, it hurts, but I made a decision that I will not remember it, even if they do not ask forgiveness.
IT IS A CHOICE, A DECISION. This will keep your heart from getting hard toward people.
I choose not to get bitter!
I choose not to have resentment!
Go to PRAYER
James 1:21, Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Ask Jesus to heal your soul. Do not allow yourself to wallow in the wound. It is not your right to wallow, you gave up that right to build resentment when you chose the ministry.
He will heal you, and when you see the person or persons, or they return to the church, then you do not treat them better or worse, you just love them like Jesus loves you.
THIS IS A SERIOUS INTERSECTION FOR YOUR MINISTRY. CHOOSE TO NEVER HOLD RESENTMENT AND BITTERNESS WHEN THE JUDAS KISS COMES!
We offer FREE video leadership training via the Internet every Tuesday from 12:00 to 1:00pm, and Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm weekly. If you’re interested then send your email address and receive the link. Send your email address to drspencer@empoweringpastors.com. Visit us on the web at http://www.empoweringpastors.com.
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