Edges

I went to bed last night and woke up again this morning, both times, the megachurch pastor in Georgia who committed suicide recently, still roaming the forefront of my mind.

As 2015 closes in less than 72 hours, I can only imagine the year that some pastors and churches have endured. Incredible moves of God, for sure... but also great tragedy. Great loss. Seemingly insurmountable frustration. Faith-breaking situations. Struggles so real, that if people knew even a fraction more of what was going on than they perhaps already know, they would shake their heads in disbelief... having nothing to offer in terms of comfort or strategy that might bring help to the person and/or situation.

While I'm the farthest from being an expert on the subject of suicide, I imagine there are a number of process-stages that one goes through in arriving to the decision to go through with the act. I also, believe, that given how life builds up and situations and frustrations compound, it's harder to know exactly, just where one is at in the process.

Everyone copes and manages life differently and there are so many things in the world that are changing so much, there's more to the process that's hidden than perhaps we realize.

Burn-out. If not managed well, life will scourge our hearts and minds... and the life that was once beautiful; you can't even tell what it is or what it used to be any more. For those in ministry, this is their edge, And with 1500-1700 a month walking away; who knows who is next? Who knows just how close they are?

Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday, for pastors struggling with suicide. Pray for those who are at the various edges of life and decisions that could forever affect, their life, that of family and friends; those who sit in their churches and under their ministry. Pray for the healing and restoration of their hearts and minds through the power of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. May they be brought back from the brink of the edge they find themselves. May they know they are loved and appreciated; for indeed, they are. More than they and much more the people express.

Rescue those in need; especially those who lead. For the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ.
May the healing of our land coming through the healing of our leaders

-PNC

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