There are times that I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. It’s not that I wasn’t prepared. It’s not that I haven’t read about it in a book. It’s not even that I haven’t experienced a similar problem. But, when push comes to shove, in this case with these circumstances, it’s different.
The wife that is bitter against her husband.
The family that is on the verge of a complete breakup.
The man who is addicted to a vicious and devious sin who feels he has no way of escape.
This and a million other cases could be mentioned. It really doesn’t matter the specifics. It’s all a result of sin, self-deception, and pride. No matter how far we try to untangle the malignant mess, at the bottom we find sin as its root cause.
Satan doesn’t really care what the specifics are. We tend to focus on specifics to attempt to help. How can you overcome a sin you cannot see? But Satan doesn’t really seem to have any vested interest in how you fall. For him, all that matters is that it is enough to discourage God’s child with languishing fear and paralyzing self-judgment.
In ministry leadership, we must remember that we have been given the responsibility of stewarding hurting hearts. Even if you feel you’ve seen it all, only the Spirit of God can truly salve those who have been scarred by the Evil One’s deceptions. Paul admonishes us to consider our own selves. The fact is: we’re all broken. Even you and I—the helpers. There is no magic potion to resolve others’ problems while safeguarding my heart. Sometimes, there are many conflicts that no one can help resolve. There are burdens that no one can bear alone. The only One to turn to is Christ—the only answer. While aggrieved and injured hearts may look to me for answers, I must point them to Christ. When I attempt to resolve problems that are beyond my capacity, I am opening myself to self-aggrandizement and hubris. It doesn’t matter if I think I’ve seen it all or already know how to help. Every sin is beyond my capacity. There is no heart that I can mend. I must see myself in the mirror of God’s Word—even I am broken. Messed up. Sinful. But even in my brokenness, it is my responsibility and calling to point other broken people to the Cross of Christ—the only hope of wholeness
We must be prepared to help others. We must also be honest with ourselves—only Jesus can heal them. But until their broken heart is ready to receive His wondrous healing, our education, experience, or intuition will never resolve the deep hurt left by sin’s pernicious nature and awful consequences.
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