Athletes who sustain physical injuries often have to “play hurt.” While they may receive future medical treatment, the immediate demands of the game require their participation.
Similarly, pastors experiencing emotional pain may have to “preach hurt” before recovering from their emotional injuries. These injuries take many forms, such as criticism from others, the fallout from difficult business meetings, or challenging personal or family matters.
Pastors with multiple staff may be able to call upon others to preach during difficult seasons, but many do not have that option. While they would prefer to be in better emotional health before stepping into the pulpit, Sunday will come, and they must preach.
Here are four encouraging reminders when those seasons arrive:
Remember God’s Sovereignty
God is in control. He knows what He’s doing and always does what is right (Genesis 18:25). We may not understand God’s purposes for our challenges, but we must remember that He is there and is working through our pain. Because His ways are always good, even this emotional hurt has meaning in the broader scope of God’s providence.
Remember God’s Grace
Often, during our ministries’ more significant challenges, we experience greater provisions of God’s grace. I know from my own experience that I often sensed God’s unusual presence and power guiding me through difficult Sundays, equipping me to preach when my heart was heavy and I felt I couldn’t face the congregation.
On those very Sundays, God seemed to pour out His grace more abundantly than at other times. I felt clarity and freedom in my preaching, and many of my listeners seemed more engaged than usual. God’s grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Remember To Ask For Help
When suffering personally, it is essential to ask for prayer and support. As the writer of Ecclesiastes wisely reminds us: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; NIV).
While we won’t share our hurts with everyone, we are wise to share them with someone: a caring spouse, a trusted friend, or perhaps another leader in the church. I have found that God always points me to someone who will pray with me, offer counsel, and hold the matter in confidence.
Remember To Get Your Rest
We may underestimate the toll emotional pain takes upon our bodies. When Elijah fearfully fled to Horeb, he arrived in total exhaustion. Only when he had sufficient food, drink, and sleep was he rested enough for the next ministry challenge (1 Kings 19).
Pastor friends: Whatever challenges you face right now, remember that God is with you and always does what is right! (Genesis 18:25)
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