Dear Pastor,
I want you to know that you are not alone. Indeed you and I preach and teach often that God is near. He is near to the brokenhearted, He does not leave us as orphans but comes to us, He does not leave us or forsake us*. You and I share these beautiful, powerful truths with people all the time, but perhaps it is time to stop and be reminded of them for our own sake.
Maybe we would do well to stop….breath in and out….and then gratefully reflect on these statements:
- God is for me
- God is with me
- As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, God is in me
- God rejoices over me with singing
- God is pleased with me
- God has found me of such great value that He gave His own Son to save me
- God is faithful to every promise He has made to me
Ministry is the hardest thing I have ever done in life (tied perhaps with being a father) but I am so glad to know that God who freely gave Himself for my sins also freely gives us all that we need (Romans 8:32). Remember that He who began the good work in you is faithful and will bring it on to completion! (Philippians 1:6)
I would also like to let you know that you are not alone because you are part of the family of faith. As such I would like to invite you to send me a personal text (205-910-7050) or email (mike.annajohnson@gmail.com). In your correspondence let me know your family members’ names and I will commit to praying for them. Also, just know that once you contact me I will send you occasional emails or texts to encourage you and lift you up. In a world where isolation and loneliness are the norm, I want to avail myself to you so that we can walk together and sharpen each other.
God is with us, God is in us!
Mike J
*Deuteronomy 31:6, John 14:18, Psalm 34:18
Pastor Encouragement 