Navigating Difficulties

Ed Stetzer wrote an article a few days ago regarding the Ashley Madison hack situation.  He specifically talked about the number of potential pastors on the list and how churches and church leadership handle the repercussions that are soon to follow.

It was a well-thought article in highlighting specific steps to take so those affected aren't automatically written off, but are able to experience the love and grace of God and discover how God may use the circumstance for His glory.

Nonetheless, the agony remains... of having to respond, having to deal with the fall-out, having to console and advise those impacted... just reading Stetzers' advice on such an ordeal was enough to ask how many people will be willing to go through the process as a matter of forgiveness and healing.

It can be so much easier to take the consequence and skip recovery. Yet, to fully trust that God makes all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, then it's really not ours to say, "No...this mess is beyond even what you are able to accomplish. Pass and move on." Thankfully, God doesn't let us go that easy.

On this #seniorPastorMonday, pray for those churches and pastors who genuinely are in trouble. Whether they are on a list such as Ashley Madison or not, sexually immorality and extra-marital affairs destroy families and are devastating to the pulpit. Pray for extra doses of wisdom and grace in handling such matters. May they look to God and His word as the ultimate tool for navigating the consequences of such behavior. May their trust that God is able to accomplish the miraculous be strengthened, in spite of decisions that damage our witness of Christ. Pray those involved, do indeed, experience the love, grace and forgiveness of God in manners yet known. Pray for the forgiveness of self to be realized. And regardless of the outcome, may they know God has not given up on them...even if people within the church have called "game over."

-PNC

---