How do you deal with transitions? Is it with bitterness? Is it excitement? Maybe a little of both?
Our family is now undergoing some transitions. My husband has been praying for several months about his ministry and the direction that our church is going. He has been pastoring there for 2 1/2 years. The church as a whole is going in a different direction than he is and it became apparent this past week; he stood for conviction and truth, they did not. Many churches like doing things the way that they have always been done. Many times, a new direction can be a fresh start for a ministry. God's ways are best. After much prayer and fasting, my husband resigned the pastorate of our church.
Transitions.
How do I deal with this? I think to myself, 2 1/2 years of work, hard work. 2 1/2 years of begging God to show us how to do things according to His will. Church is more than pew sitting. There are souls to be saved! 2 1/2 years of learning, falling on our face at times, growing, forming friendships.
I have heard stories of people becoming bitter at past experiences, and using those bad experiences as an excuse to not do the Lord's work. Life hurts sometimes. The Lord never said that once we become born-again, that life will be a bed of roses. As people, we still have the sinful nature. Yes, we will still have hurts but, we cannot allow hurtful things to harm our relationship with the Lord and make us bitter. Instead, we should seek the Lord and ask Him for guidance and grace.
Transitions.
I was reading in Ephesians earlier this week and it truly ministered to me. I am on a different plan than I started with earlier this year. Anyway, the Lord knew that I needed these particular verses. When I finished Ephesians, next on my plan as 1 Peter. Again, the Lord ministered to me through His Word. Do you realize that He would have ministered to me regardless of what I was reading?! It is kind of funny I suppose. Something between me and the Lord.
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 1 Peter 2:19-20
Jesus Christ gave us an example. Christ suffered for our sins and He took it patiently and with grace. This grace is what we are to show when we are buffeted or when we do well and yet suffer.
I'll just make it clear now. I am no theologian. This is just what the Lord spoke to me under my current circumstances. Isn't it wonderful that we can read God's Word over and over and He can use those same verses to minister to us in different and unique ways?!
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs' sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Transitions.
What will I choose to do with this transition? Right now, it hurts. It will be hard for a little while. Yesterday was the first day not being at our church. We visited a local IFB church and it "just so happened" that Bro. Dennis Corle from Revival Fires was the guest speaker! I said that with quote because I do not believe in happenstance. The Lord orchestrated that. Many of you may know of him. I have 2 of his wife's books, the MRS Ministry and Mission: Motherhood. His message was tremendous! There is an emergency folks. Souls need saved NOW.
We walked in and saw a dear friend. When she hugged me, I teared up a little. Even during the singing, I cried. Some were tears of sorrow, but some were also of joy. We sang "Because He Lives", and in the chorus it says "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow". Such powerful words! When we got to "It Is Well With My Soul", I lost it and began to weep. Those poor people there must have thought I was a basketcase!
I still love the people at my church and I will still pray for their needs. Some have unsaved husbands, some have issues with sin. I love them and I will not allow bitterness to seep into my soul. The devil would like nothing better than to see me become a bitter, discouraged, gossipping Christian. No, I will allow the Lord to do His work in me and allow Him to grow me in a better way.
This transition will be, well, a transition. I know that my husband is called to pastor. I believe that he will pastor again. He has already been contacted about pulpit supply. I am excited about what the Lord has in store for us. Yes, it will be different, but God is still God, He is still on His throne, and His grace is sufficient for me.
18 comments:
I know, it really can feel like someone died when you lose a church. Experience is a good teacher! Hang in there!
I'm so sorry that this has happened. Thank you for sharing your heart in this post because it blessed me and I'm sure it will bless others who might be going through something difficult.
I pray God will comfort you and your family during this transition. (o:
{{{Hugs}}} and Many Blessings,
Michele
Laura,
You don't know me, but I am one of Michele's readers. She posted this morning about your transition and I was fortunate enough to be able to take the time to come on over here and read what you and your family are experiencing.
While my husband was not a Pastor, we were part of a core group a few years ago to start a church plant. Unfortunately, after about the same length of time you spoke about (2 1/2 years) it became apparent that the true powers that be were no longer listening to God's will, but their own. We left knowing that it was what God had led us to do but there was still a lot of hurt and anger over it.
I can't say that time healed the wounds, but God did. Rejoice in His perfect plan and take rest in His arms when you need to. He is longing for you to come to Him!
I'll leave you with this verse - It's in NIV, but I think you will still get the picture. :)
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will" Romans 12:2.
Many Blessings,
Melissa
Hi Laura,
I came to visit you from Michele's blog...I am so sorry that you are having a time of difficult transition...but the Lord has plans for you and this had to happen in order for His plan to come to fruition ...You do not know me...and I did not know you, but I know of your hurt...right now we are going through a hurtful time with our church...the church seems to be going in a different direction than we feel lead by God and we are struggling with the question as to "where do we go from here"..
I will pray that the Lord will make it clear to you as to the direction He wants to lead you!!
Be Encouraged,
Mimi
When our church dissolved, I think I cried through every service for about a month. Praise the Lord we had a sister church that we could attend, and the folks there understood.
Let the tears come, even if you feel embarrassed or even (gasp!) needy. :-) We ARE needy when we are hurting over the loss of a church.
Allow other Godly Christians to minister to you during this time. It will be your turn to minister again soon enough. :-)
God bless you sister.
Alesha
Laura,
I came here from Michele's blog. She mentioned your post on transitions and I wanted you to know that it blessed my heart.
I have just made a transition in my life which was to obey God in something He has been dealing with me about for over a year! Your post just helped to strengthen me and I appreciate the honesty in your writing.
((Hugs)) from a sister in Christ,
Sharon
My sister went through a very similar situation a few years ago. Except that the deacons turned the people against my brother in law. It was a hard time for them I know but now they are at a new church and being blessed. Their trial also helped my family later on while we were in a big transition.
I am so sorry that this happened. I know it's scary but I believe that God will point your husband in the right direction and bless you more than you imagined. I will be praying for you!
Hello I came over here from Michele's blog and read your post. I'm so sorry your hurting but you have the right heart for mending the hurt.
When I got saved at the age of 16 I joined the church I am a member of now at the age of 35. I have been there for many years and I know what you feel about losing your church. Even though I and my Husband never left there were church friends that I loved dearly that did. The church members we have now are all different but three families. My Husbands Parents, Our Pastor and his family and us.
We stayed because our Pastor led in ways that most people did not like. But he is our Pastor, the only one I ever had, and we stayed and backed him up. One day the Lord will bless you with a wonderful church that will follow their Pastor.
Hugs and Prayers from Texas. Theresa.
Laura,
It sure is wonderful how scripture pops out at you,no matter WHERE you are reading. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I can tell by the comments that you have many praying women commenting,many that I am very familiar with. The prayer support from blogland is wonderful.
YES, transistions are not easy but during these things I cling to Romans 8:28. The Lord already knows where you will go next, HE will open doors that no man can shut. He will heal the deepest parts of your heart, we serve a Risen Saviour who is still on the Throne.
God is Good and will honor your husbands faithfulness and your precious attitude and lack of guile.
This will be exciting to visit your blog now and see how this all unfolds. It is like when a new flower starts to blossom....
Deby
coming over to from Michele's Cherish the Home Blog
a great recommendation from Michele...
How wonderful to read of your forgiving and humble heart towards the wrong and your desire to please the LORD. Indeed he does know the heart.
Remember Psalm 37:4-5
I hope and pray that an effectual and fruitful door opens for you and your husband.
At one time or another we are all in transistion...I'm an empty nester and that has been one tough transition..that I am still in!
Praise the LORD for his WORD and comfort of hope..
God bless..
HOPE @ wateringwellsofhop
What an encouraging post! The Lord will certainly bless your husband sticking by The Book and not cowering to the will of men.
I'll be praying for your family during this time of transition as the Lord reveals His will for your family. Keep trusting Him!
Blessings,
Mrs. C
Laura, what a strong husband you have...that's something to rejoice about. And you trusting the Lord, that's something else to rejoice about.
Other Christians sometimes cause the biggest hurts...because they are supposed to know better. We expect hurts from those who are lost but hurts from Christians take me by surprise everytime.
You never may know why but God had a purpose for your journey there. Even if it was to set one person on the narrow path. How do I know? A godly family once came to my church for about two years. They took me under their wing and discipled me when no one else would. They changed my life and then God moved them somewhere else.
I'll be praying that God will lead your family to a church that wants to hear the TRUTH and not just have their ears tickled.
Blessings, Donna B
Michele has one of my favorite blogs that I read daily. I love that she loves the Lord, and she is always so encouraging to everyone. She mentioned you on her blog today.
I have heard Charles Stanley, Joyce Meyer and several others tell stories about how when God wanted them to move churches it was such a difficult transition. My only reference would be that I have had transitions that made me feel that the work I had invested was lost. I realized later that sometimes the anointing has been removed and the Lord wanted me to move.
I wrote about it on my devotional, if you would like to read it, I called it Fields of Gold.
http://mydevotional.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/46/
I will pray for you to have clarity. I know that the Lord has a plan and although this is a difficult time, He will turn anything meant for harm into a blessing.
Blessings, Karen
I am just stunned at the encouraging words you have all left. What a blessing!! I will try to reply to each of you.
Amy, You are right when you say that it can feel like someone died, it does feel like that, it feels like we are in mourning. THank you :o)
Michele, I am humbled that you posted this on your blog. I always get such encouragement from you. I do pray that this does help someone else in need.
Melissa, You are right on target when you said that God heals the wounds. He not only uses His Word, but brothers and sisters in the Lord. :o) Thank you.
Mimi, I so appreciate your encouraging words to me! Sometimes that question, "where do we go from here?" is a difficult one!! Thank you for your prayers.
Alesha, The first one was tough. I think that as it goes it will be easier (I hope!!). Yes, it was hard to allow people to minister to me, but I did it and it was sweet. People from church have also been calling and giving encouraging words also. God bless you and thank you.
Sharon, WOW!! I never expected that my post would help people in the way that it did. All glory to God. Like Amy said, experience is a good teacher. SOmetimes difficult decisions are made easier knowing that someone else has done it and come out okay :o) Well, it is more than okay if it is obedience to the Lord :o) God bless you, sister.
Mary, Yes, the Lord is already showing him some direction. For right now, we are visiting churches, we are going to a revival next week, and believe it or not, he was asked to preach at a church that is needing some pulpit fill. I think during this time, just drinking in God's Word by our own devotion time and by other preachers, it will be a tremendous time with the Lord, each other, and our family. Thank you for taking the time to write. God bless.
Theresa, THank you so much for your encouraging words! Yes, it does hurt when other families that are dear friends leave. Praise the Lord for people who stick to their convictions. God bless you.
Deby, Reading your comment was such an encouragement to me. This was the first time I actually opened up about something close to me in blogland. I am just shocked at the willingness of you wonderful ladies to pray for me and my family. God bless you!
Hope, How funny that you shared that particular verse with me...someone called me just yesterday and shared that same one! It was an encouragement then and it is now. God is so good.
Mrs. C, Thank you so much for your prayers. This time of transition is exciting also. I am eager to see where He will lead us. Blessings to you.
Donna, You hit it on the head! We have already seen God working in peoples lives because of this. Without going into details, A man realized that he should have been doing more, not just "pew-sitting". A lady realized certain scriptures really mean what they say. There are several who are getting into their Bibles and seeking guidance from the LORD!! It really is exciting. What is sad is that it is just a small group that chose to cause problems. God is still God and He will use this to grow people closer to Him. THank you and God bless!
Karen, I have to admit, that was part of it. I thought, "all that work we did!" It was a very needy church when we got there. Actually, my husband began pastoring there after not one, but 2 church splits. Anyway, we wound up doing most of the work. Sad to say, our homeschool suffered from the time spent there. Yes, my children learned much about the ministry, and for that I am grateful. But, my priorities got out of whack there for a while. THe investment is not lost. THank you.
I plan on visiting all of your blogs in the next few days. Again, thank you. It was a blessing to me :o)
As a pastor's wife myself, I know how difficult all kinds of church issues can be. I will definitely pray for you and your family.
Stay in the Word and support your husband!!
His,
Mrs. U
I've been sitting here for a few minutes trying to think of how I would like to comment on your post.
Our church is going through a pastor change and it has been very difficult. Our preacher retired after 43 years of service at our church.
For some unknown reason even though he retired, there has been awful ugliness regarding bringing in a new pastor. It all boiled down to people not wanting/accepting the change.
I won't take up all your space with all of my woes, but I understand where you are. I will be praying for you.
The devil would love to have our churches! I think he has his foot in the door of a few of them. :-(
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