The life of the Pastor's family has been coming more and more into light recently. Some good has come of it, and some bad. We can all remember when the big ministers fall... we all know about the Pastors' wives who have lost it....
There are the books out there... some really good ones... and some of them I know the authors.. they are wonderful women of God! The books talking about how to make it through being a Pastor's wife.
But you know what, I hate "Make it through, how to endure this lot in your life". To me that's like saying "girl you do NOT want to marry a pastor.. run if you can help it!" I love being the Pastor's Wife. I love my role in ministry.
Now..before you get to thinking "She must be new to this ministry thing...because if she really knew how evil people can be..." Ohhhhh I KNOW how people can be. There are churches out there, that frankly, you won't catch me stepping back into. I have been pushed down, kicked and spat on, figuratively speaking. I have been to a place where I didn't want to go to church anymore and I just felt like this was completely unbearable.
To quote a good friend of mine (Da Moose)..in talking about this very subject "Something can be hard without being hopeless". Being married to a pastor in the ministry is not easy. In fact, we are told that we are being sent out among wolves. Matt 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. NIV It is also mentioned that they will beat you in the synagogue (I'll have to look up the verse I can't seem to find it at the moment.) People are going to be mean. It is the sinful nature in them.
We are called to be more than conquerors. Rom 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. NIV
Peter, Paul, etc.. they all faced hardships for bringing the Word of God to the masses. They were heavily persecuted. The pharisees tried to trick Jesus alllllll the time. Why do we get it in our heads that somehow it should be different for us?
Sometimes being a Pastor's Wife stinks. One of the biggest complaints is "They expect me to be perfect". Well Tonight I was reading in Nehemiah. Man, they gave him a hard time. They kept trying to get him sidetracked. They told him lies, accused.. whatever. They even threatened him ..and he simply told them that he was doing what God wanted him to do and he would do nothing else. I love how John Bevere puts it " I have had to look at people and say " Why are you allowing the lies of this person to affect what God has called you to do? Just because he accuses you doesn't mean he's right or he wants the truth! You need to know what God says about you and His plan for you. Why try to reason with foolishness?" Prov 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. NIV
Do I want to hide sometimes? Most definitely. Should I hide... no. God tells me not to. I am in a position of great responsibility. And with it comes trials and tribulations, battles and heart ache. To ignore that would be silly... BUT I also have great opportunity, I can have the victory and exciting moments too. I am appreciative of the websites I have to connect to other PW's for encouragement, support and ideas...I fully believe it is a necessary outlet and ministry. But let's support one another.. and not just help one another make it through..let's cheer one another on as we run this race as conquerors!
Comments (1)
dear christa,
well said. i hope i can see things more or less your way when i feel very discouraged.
thanks!
gracmercy