I’ve gained a whole new respect for Pastors and Spiritual Leaders in recent years.
Often times we look to our Pastors and Spiritual leaders for guidance, comfort and even stability. We need to know we have someone who cares, no matter what, and can help guide us through difficult situations.
When the world or our circumstances seem to be in chaos and we’re doing our best to just hold it together, we look to these people for support.
And that’s a great thing. We need to bear with one another and lift each other up in times of need. That’s fellowship, that’s discipleship, that’s love.
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
There was a time when my brother in law was fighting for his life. He had a severe asthma attack which resulted in his heart stopping for several minutes.
The paramedics were on scene when it happened and performed CPR for 7 1/2 – 8 minutes before getting his heart to start again. They provided him with everything they could to give him the best shot possible.
Our family of course was shaken. He was a young man at just 39 years old. These types of things are never expected.
As the next few days proceeded, my family needed comfort. They needed support, they needed love and someone to be strong.
That was my job. That’s why we prepare before we need to be called on.
Shelby and I had been in a season of incredible hunger for different areas of Jesus. Reading, studying, fasting, teaching and practicing what we’ve been consuming.
Definitely not expecting to have our faith not only tested but relied upon.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
My wife was raised Catholic and her family is not overly religious. They believe in Jesus, but do not have the understanding that Shelby and I have acquired over the years. So when their world seemed to be falling apart right before them, they needed reassurance and comfort. They needed Jesus.
When they are asking for answers to an unanswerable questions. You have to have that communication with the Holy Spirit already in place.
An “emergency” situation is not the time to try and learn how to hear from the Holy Spirit.
Don’t get me wrong, always cry out to Jesus in your time of need. But communicating from a place of peace is different.
So when those eyes of desperation are looking at you, know that they are really looking for Jesus. They want to see and feel love and comfort. Only Jesus can provide that it’s not on you to come up with the right message.
Your mind goes blank. All of the prayers and scriptures that you know seem distant.
For me I just knew Jesus knows what to express in those moments. So I said a quick prayer for myself asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to me what He sees for this moment. Then I began to pray for them.
Pastors may have experienced this type of situation before but it’s not experience that comes out. It’s allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you.
Jesus knows what each situation needs. Allow Him to take over and reveal Himself to everyone. His Spirit is the Comforter! As I was praying things were just coming to mind that I had never prayed before but it’s what our family needed.
Psalm 29:11 NKJV
The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
I could feel the weight and pressure to get it “right”. I could feel fear starting to creep in and try to get my eyes off of Jesus. It’s not about me or any Pastor or Spiritual leader. It’s about Jesus.
Even though many Pastors look like they are moving in confidence, in their hearts they are just looking to Jesus for the answers.
Remain in His presence and in the peace that only He can provide and you WILL have the answers you need for each situation.
