"Bright Days, Dark Nights." Depression and Sorrow in Service to Christ

2 Corinthians is such a paradox, isn't it? On one hand Paul is so down (2 Cor. 1:8-9a, 4:8-10a) he cannot even return to Corinth (without knowing if they have first received his admonitions). Paul was certainly no wimp; perish the thought. Outside of Christ, Paul may have suffered more for the gospel and the Church than any other minister (2 Cor. 11:23-33). 

And yet Paul also talks in 2 Corinthians about the unparalleled joys/privileges of being a minister of the New Covenant (note 2 Cor 3-4). Life and ministry is sometimes both/and rather than either/or. I remember John MacArthur saying that he was so glad he did not preach 2 Corinthians early in his ministry because one cannot really capture the pathos of Paul unless they have first suffered deeply in ministry. "In the deepest pains we learn life's greatest lessons and the deepest pains in life are often inflicted by those who are closest to our heart." (2 Cor. 12:8-10). Paul's painful experiences shepherding the flock at Corinth is so much a part of the rubric of these inspired letters (1-2 Cor.). 

If the Bible was not inspired blog writers would certainly edit and critique large portions of Scripture. Consider Moses' burden of leading the stiff-necked wilderness generation. Or King David's lament as he talks about the deep, deep pains of personal betrayal (Psalm 55:12-14); or his deep sorrow over the guilt of his own sin (Ps. 32, 51). Israel's hymnbook (the Psalter) includes many psalms of lament. Or the weeping prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 1-2, 20; Lam. 3). I often think about the positive and negative implications of Hebrews 13:17. As with parenting it can be grievous to the soul when attempting to shepherd unruly souls over months and years... 1 Thess. 5:12-13 is an inspired mandate as much as 1 Peter 5:1-4 is. "Let them do this with joy and not grief..."

Monday Blues: Never Resign on a Monday!

This article was written by Pastor Tom Ascol and was originally posted on the Founders website.  Used with permission.

"It’s common wisdom among pastors that no important decision should be made on a Monday. Especially a Monday morning. The nature of pastoral work causes the Lord’s Day to be a day that typically requires a great expenditure of physical, emotional and spiritual energy for a man who gives himself to regular pastoral preaching. Standing before a church that is gathered together with unbelievers, knowing that they expect and need to hear the Word of God accurately and helpfully proclaimed is a weighty responsibility. Preaching is spiritual warfare and it is a rare Lord’s Day that I do not go home painfully aware of the attacks of our enemy that have come before, during and after my efforts in preaching. I suspect that most preachers know something of what I am talking about.

The result is that most pastors are not at their fighting best on Mondays. I have probably resigned my pastorate a hundred times in my mind…on Mondays. Fortunately, it only takes a little experience to recognize this pattern and to guard against putting too much stock in Monday-morning contemplations of life-decisions.