I receive hundreds of letters each week concerning Words for the Day and yesterday was no exception, (especially with so many people wishing me a happy anniversary).
One of those e-mails was from a man who had written to me several months ago when he was contemplating suicide. He was lonely, unemployed, and struggling just to make it. I said I was way too familiar with the tragic aftermath of the untold grief caused by suicide and that my only brother had taken that route.
I pointed out that suicide was not the solution to his problems. I elaborated that there was no need for his loneliness and despair because God loved Him enough to send His only Son to die for him on a cross. I shared with him that the very hairs on his head were numbered and God knew everything about him including his despair. The good news is that He stands ready, willing, and able to help.
I told him that financial situations can change overnight and he just needs to keep hanging in there and persevering through these tough times. I related that I was homeless, sleeping under bridges, and eating in missions and then just a few years later with God’s help and some hard work I had managed to work my way out of that situation.
I made clear that it would take some hard work and worry would just slow him down. I asked him to look forward and not in the rear view mirror. A great life could be his for the taking and soon he would have a job and his financial situation would be dramatically improved.
Most importantly I shared that I believe that tough times are often allowed to occur in our lives by God in order to bring us closer to Him and importantly to enhance our faith. They force us to put all of our faith in Him, instead of in ourselves. If the “net-net” is to be drawn closer to God and increase our faith in the process, then that is a worthwhile advantage that cannot be surpassed and is worth enduring.
Over the next several weeks I prayed that satan would not convince this man to take his own life. I thought of him often, and wondered how he had fared. But I did not hear from again until yesterday. I was thrilled that he had not committed suicide and had heeded my advice and although he still has problems, (as we all do), he is now coping with them by staying close to God through prayer, Bible study, and trying to establish fellowship with other Christians.
He wrote just to thank me for taking the time to write to him and convince him that suicide was not the solution to his problems. He also thanked me for writing WFTD daily which he finds to be an encouragement.
Many people have written and told me that they were considering suicide, were hopelessly hooked on drugs or alcohol, were floundering in their marriage, or that their kids were going off the deep end. I take the time to write them and encourage them to look to God. Invariably they write and thank me and the many letters that I receive are a major source of encouragement to me.
In fact I’m keenly disappointed when I don’t receive much mail and elated when I receive a mailbox full of them. Sometimes I receive so much correspondence though, that I really cannot answer them all due to time constraints; I wish I could. Often I only have time to answer those e-mails from folks with the most serious problems that are looking for any kind of guidance.
If you have written to me to thank me for WFTD, or to tell me that you enjoy it, or to wish me a happy anniversary, or to tell me that you are praying for me, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing and most of all I thank you for the encouragement. I need it daily.
I do receive not so kind letters on occasion. I understand that it goes with the territory and that I could easily put an end to receiving those types of letters by simply discontinuing writing WFTD and retiring forever. After all five days per week for 12 ½ years should be sufficient. But each morning I slug it out with satan and like bad grass I’m hard to get rid of and kill off and I’m definitely not a quitter.
Sunday our interim pastor took over the pulpit. He followed our former beloved pastor who had stood there preaching for 11 years. The young man preached a dynamic message that encouraged the congregation not to fear the unknown of moving forward with a new pastor. He told us that God has a plan for our former pastor as he heads to his new assignment, but we can rest assured that He also has a plan for this church, and it is a mighty plan indeed; in fact it is an absolutely perfect plan.
Changing long time pastors kind of reminds me of a death of a believer. We grieve the loss of a friend or relative, but celebrate his good fortune in finally becoming victorious over death and being ushered into heaven where there can be no tears. We also look inward to ourselves as to how we can carry on and fulfill God’s plan for us. We should be happy and excited about being given that opportunity.
The same applies to this church. We can make it into something to behold with a little hard work and faith and that has to be a very positive thing and certainly no one should be down and out over it.
Don’t know if that makes sense to you, but it does to me.
The important thing is that we should encourage this young pastor and others who are in the ministry who are fighting it out with satanic forces and support them. Take it from me those letters and calls of encouragement will mean a lot to them. Satan will ensure that there will be plenty of detractors that try to snatch away the message of hope, but it is my prayer that this congregation and others facing the same situation will look to an even brighter day than before.
If I had a vote on the pastoral committee, I would vote for this young man. He loves the Lord and man can he preach. Pray for him and the church won’t you…
Col. 4:3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.