Today, I have on my heart the many ministers who enter into their day serving others while carrying their own pain of grief and loss. Not everyone will, and can, understand that significant burden.

 

Jesus, Himself, was a man of sorrows and walked out His calling with significant weight on His heart. So He understands what you are going through.

 

In my own valley seasons, I had to fight to stay afloat while helping other drowning victims. I can promise you it was often messier than I desired, but Jesus carried me through.

 

Some days the tears were like a faucet that wouldn’t shut off, and other days it seemed a supernatural grace would undergird me enough to stay focused on the tasks at hand.

 

Grief will manifest in ways that are at times confusing. For some, it’s hard to read like you normally do. Focusing can be quite a struggle as well. You may have to alter the way you do life for a season, and that is perfectly fine. It’s ok to let others know what you need. This is no time to be proud.

 

You’ll need to consider the weight of things because you’ll likely not be able to carry a normal load. Pay attention to this. Healing is a process and pain speaks often. It’s ok to scale back and make some room for your own process.

 

Dismissing, or ignoring, the pain because “I have Jesus” is not wise nor is it expected by Christ. Jesus will step into the pain with you, but He does not deal with deception. He operates in the truth. Acknowledge your pain and bring it to the light. It is there Christ will tend to it.

 

For leaders who have found themselves leading while grieving, Jesus will use it all. Every ounce of it. Instead of hiding it, share it. You’ll find that God will use it to reach more also in hidden pain.

 

As you draw near to Christ in your own healing, so will they…