President's Blog

The storms of life are inevitable and they can “rock our boat” causing doubt, disappointments, and even depression.

In Matthew 8:24 (NLT) the disciples found themselves in one of those inevitable storms with their boat rocking: “Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.”

It starts with an unexpected “storm” and then the overwhelming “waves” that then start pouring into the “boat”. Then, we look for help and we see Jesus “sleeping”.

The Storm

The disciples found themselves in a boat in the Sea of Galilee. A lake which is only 14 miles by two miles in width and surrounded by mountains making it the perfect wind tunnel to funnel storms off the neighbouring Mediterranean Sea. These storms could catch even a seasoned professional fisherman off guard and unaware. The disciples were in the midst of one of these unforeseen storms.

The one certainty of life that we can hold onto is the ‘un-certainty’ of it all. Life will hurl storms at us through unexpected problems, crises, and disappointments. What are we doing to prepare ourselves?

The Waves

These were big waves and the scene would have been frightening for the disciples. When the waves started to enter the boat the disciples were fearful.

There will be overwhelming circumstances in life that cause us to feel like we’re sinking and when these circumstances pile up, we can’t handle them, we become overwhelmed and we panic.

Recent studies indicate that people in ministry often find themselves in this place. A major North American survey of pastors (by Dr. Richard J. Krejcir) indicated that:

• 89% of pastors considered leaving the ministry

• 75% felt unqualified to lead a church

• 35-45% leave ministry most often after the five year mark

• 33% admitted ministry is hazardous to their family

• 70% of church leaders admitted they have no close friends

In a Focus on the Family survey they discovered 150 pastors in Canada leave the ministry each month. From time to time I remind you of the “Clergy Care” Hotline which the Fellowship pays for, so pastoral couples, missionaries, and chaplains have somewhere to confidently turn to for support.

In a recent report to me (I am never told who phones but I receive reports on the issues being called in about), the top issues were marriage crisis, wayward children, porn addiction, and church conflict. Our very own Fellowship Healthcare Plan indicates that our members top ranked medication needs were 1. Blood pressure 3. Depression 6. Gastrointestinal and ulcer issues 19. Stress and insomnia issues. These two surveys also indicate that 70% of North American pastors battle with burn out, fatigue, or depression.

The Boat

The disciples sought to fend off the storm and waves but their boat was inadequate. This was a fierce storm that was too large for their small boat. If they had been on a cruise ship they would have been fine.

Our own resources can seem insufficient while in a predicament — my emotional tank is inadequate, my bank account is insufficient, and we worry and get overwhelmed.

In our story in Matthew 8, we find Jesus just having ministered to thousands of people and now He is getting some much needed rest. He needs to rest because thousands are waiting for His arrival on the other side of the lake but the disciples see him sleeping and feel very much alone. They panic asking, “Who is going to wake up Jesus?”

But then we look to Jesus and we wonder if He might be sleeping while we’re in our predicament. We’re in a storm and the Lord is having a cat-nap.  “Jesus don’t you see what is happening in my life?” “Why don’t you do something about it?” “My health, my job loss, my pain, my marriage, my wayward kids; do you not see what’s happening?”

Life at times can feel overwhelming and IF we’re not intentionally taking care of our soul, our inner life, these feelings can cause a spiritual, emotional, or psychological crisis in our life.

I was sitting in a pastor’s office waiting for the worship service to begin and I did what I always do, I spied out the books on his bookshelves in the office. And like a moth perilously attracted to the light, my eyes fixed on one book: Phillip Yancey’s “Disappointment with God”. I’ve been there, you’ve been there.

One year, my youngest daughter attended my birthday dinner and during the meal she mentioned that when her friends gather for a birthday meal they ask if there is any insight they had learned the past year that all of them could benefit from. Great idea. I thought for a moment and said, “In my 30s and 40s I learned to manage my time. In my 50s, I needed to learn to manage my energy (I got these two insights from a good friend). But on the eve of entering my 60s, I think I’ll need to learn how to manage my expectations and the grief associated with it.” What I meant was, it’s a time when you start to realize not everything you planned is going to happen or happen in the way you thought it would. Not everything worked out the way I thought it would and that is probably not going to change.

What do we do with the disappointment? The grief? It can cripple us emotionally and spiritually. But before that happens reach out to someone.

Our Fellowship has partnered with Focus on the Family Canada to offer a Clergy-Care Hotline for all our pastors, missionaries, chaplains, and their spouses and children. If you’re feeling duress, contact this hotline at: 1-888-5-CLERGY and speak confidently to a professionally licensed Christian counselor.

For more information click HERE.