Temperament is affected, so are relationships in my family, even my body struggles under the weight of insecurity. I have grown to despise this ongoing struggle against my heart.
Only you know what insecurities you struggle with...self image, success, relationship status, past failure, etc... We've all got our battles I suppose. Many of these begin by hiding something, producing an insecurity based in fear that others may find you out. The struggle I have is actually the opposite...it begins by putting it all out there and realizing that others will disagree, disapprove or even take offense.
Of Adam and Eve, it was said"the man and his wife were naked and were not unashamed." These two laid everything out there, had nothing to hide and nowhere to hide it! Yet, there was no fear, shame or guilt. Only when rejecting the plan of the Planner did this reality go awry. I long for the day when we stand in awe of the One who walks among us again to the extent we are no longer concerned with one another's cover ups.
But for now we live in the balance of two realities, rejecting the plan of the Planner and a desire to live with nothing to hide. As a minister of the gospel and a servant of the Church, this causes no small war in my heart. It is my daily task to lay my life for others to observe, and at times critique. Daily waves of successes and failures roll through, tossing my mind from one side to the other. In the morning I may celebrate new life with a young believer only to turn in the afternoon and battle with what seemed to be a wise decision that didn't pan out.
It would be surprising for me to find out that I am the only pastoral staff member with this struggle. So assuming I am in much company, here are a few ways we can "encourage one another and build one another up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
1. Talk to him...not about him.
Here's the deal, if you find a fault in him worth talking about...he's already struggling with it or it is a
blind spot in his life. Telling others only feeds insecurity (because he always hears eventually), where as talking with him could be the encouragement needed.
2. Don't question him...ask him questions.
Not all, but most pastoral staff labors whole heartily over even the most minor details. There is
usually a reason why something was done over something else or done different. If the staff member is dedicated at all to the people, he will be excited to discuss questions...but questioning his heart, wisdom or ability will be a discouragement feeding insecurity.
3. Expect compassion...not perfection.
Big business CEOs and such, have been trained for success...sometimes at the expense of people. Ministry leaders will often sacrifice so called success for the good of the people. Not all things will make sense from an organizational vantage point, when the good of the people is primary. The pastoral figure is constantly balancing what he needs to do, what he hopes to do, what he wishes he could do and what his own family must have him do. This juggling act, combined with the expectations he and others place on him, create intense insecurity...But the body of Christ is not merely an organization but a living organism, therefore the people are primary and compassion trumps perfection.
So, assuming that there is pastoral staff all over the world needing encouragement today, knowing that their marriages and children are on the line and the life of the Church as well...these are some simple applications of Paul's exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to "encourage one another and build one another up."
