Discouragement, Confusion, and a touch of Loneliness
- By James Mitchell
- Published 11/23/2008
This is just a blog. I've not tried to really write a real blog and I've more focused my direction of writing to articles about Christian living. I thought I might just vent for a second in a blog. I'm James Mitchell, I'm 22 years old about to be 23. I honestly spiritually seem to have a lot of things going for me in my life. I was just informed last week I'm gonna be trained into becoming out first Praise and Worship leader, something I've always wanted to be able to do. My pastor recently asked me to start a nursing home ministry, he put me in charge of starting a drama team and doing all plays and such for our church. I've been apart of jail ministry before, I'm head over all our media ministry. I was just ordained a few weeks ago. God is really moving spiritually for me and I thank him and Praise him for all those things and what he's doing and I'll do my best to serve in any capacity that I can.
But even with all those things going on, It doesn't exclude me or any of us from the feelings of discouragement, confusion, or loneliness. I'm gonna be the first to admit, My home life isn't great, God is truly moving in my family, but for the most part most of them refuse to let God be a part of their lives. I struggle with that continuously and desire to see them come into the truth.
Confusion really gets me too. I've felt my calling to be something that it's not become yet and I'm a little bit of an impatient person. I dream continuously of that coming to pass and sure God's beginning to use me more in other area's but not even the slightest in that area that I dream of. I know God has it all under control and he knows what's going on and he'll move when he's ready for me but I'm still confused.
Last of all is the loneliness. I desire more than any other young man to find that special one, to meet her, be with her, marry her and live the remainder of my life with that one God has for me, someone to help me out when times are rough and be that special help my ministry needs. But I find myself
faced with a situation of having someone there that would fill that position, but things just don't work out to make that happen, at times it feels right, at others it feels completely wrong, that in itself draws confusion and I really don't know how to handle it. It's like we can't get on the same page, then on top of that theres no other options except to remain single. I'm completely fine with that if that's what God wants but it just makes it rough, no one to talk to, no best friends any long, no one to confide in except my pastor who's a VERY BUSY man and I hate to bother him.
To top it all off, I don't exactly have a high paging job. I only make enough to get by and sometimes that's really not enough, young ladies don't want a man like that, they want someone with a house, good paying steady job, that security is what they want, to know that he'll take care of them financially. Well, I feel that I want to be that man, but in the area I live and the cards I've been delt, I've just not been able to make that happen.
I'm discouraged, confused, and lonely when it comes to my life but I know that through it all God will take care of me. God has promised it to me and I'll never let that go. I said all that to say this, it doesn't matter what you face or how great your ministry comes, you can still have heartache and pain, none of us are invincible and I see that every day when I wake up and look in the mirror. Everything in my life screams backslide, had a elder lady the other morning after I preached come up and say she was so proud of me but she thought that I was gonna backslide early on, not two of the young preachers that did, because they were 2nd and 3rd generation pentecostals, and I'm a first generation, they have family history in church and I don't, everything in my life says I won't make it, but I said I will. I'm not letting the devil win, he will not steal my victory or my joy, I've pressed hard for 6 years against spirits that I wished I'd never had to face, but I didn't give up and I'm not going to now.
God is my strength, my victory and joy are in his presence. God bless you all and thanks for reading, keep me in your prayers please!
James Mitchell
I"m a 22 year old young wet behind the ears preacher who lives in Waynesboro TN. I go to church at Cornerstone Church in Collinwood TN, under the pastorship of John Hodum. He's absolutely the best pastor in this world. He's amazing and he's been more than a pastor to me, he's a father and a mentor and a friend. I've been in church for 6 years now and I'm by myself in this, but I believe one day my family will be on the pew too!
Spread The Word
4 Responses to "Discouragement, Confusion, and a touch of Loneliness" 
|
said this on 23 Nov 2008 5:33:17 PM EDT
Well what comes to mind is that every struggle you face will become part of your ministry. The best way to minister to a hurting saint is to truly say with compassion 'I've been there and this is how God got me through it'. This is part of your training so you will be able to relate to people. I heard an minister today remark that in all his years of ministry not one saint ever called him to report that everything was going perfect. So just hang in there.
The older lady who said that - well that's terrible she did that but as a minister you will have to deal with ignorant things said by Saints and some day you will encourage a young man who everyone says won't make it. Being 2nd or 3rd generation means nothing, in fact some of those people just take it for granted would have no ability to minister to a person in your situation whereas you will be able to say 'I've been there'. You will make it! |
Author/Admin)|
said this on 24 Nov 2008 3:08:07 PM EDT
Brother Mitchell
Slowly just stop and breath- Sounds like you are in a trail. Keep your eyes on God, all these things that you are experiencing currently will soon pass. God has a plan for each of us, but if we become to busy, we could miss the beat. A wife is not something you hurry into or quickly try to find to meet a need, A wife is a helpmate, she is your otherhalf, and when things do not work out with potential prospective ladies, be thankful, they obviously were not the right one. When the one God intends for you comes along , it will be as a gentle breeze upon the cheek, all will flow smoothly , there will be no doubt or hesitation. I hope you are specifically praying for the type of wife you want now, as you should never enter into marriage without praying, fasting and seeking God's Blessing. And remember "All Good Things come to those who wait" God Bless! |
|
said this on 27 Nov 2008 10:25:11 AM EDT
God Bless you, Brother Mitchell,
I want you to know that God doesn't have grandchildren. You are a child of His. There is no second and third generations and when there is it makes me question the true calling. I have seen many preacher's sons who do everything halfhearted and only because they have been pushed into it. None of the apostles came from ideal backgrounds and Jesus himself was smeared and ridiculed. These are the kind of preachers and teachers the Lord wants working in the field. Not how many degrees and how long a chain of theologians you have evolved from. He will renew you and mold you into the kind of Man of God He wants you to be. I see too many clones in the present day church, today and God works with the individual. One on One. I'm not being critical, but let the Lord do the leading and not the protocol of the church. As for a wife, remember this, When God calls a preacher he calls the wife also. There is one out there being adorned just for you! |
|
said this on 06 Dec 2008 3:10:12 PM EDT
I truly enjoyed that article Because I have somewhat been in that spot before. I thank you for all the encouraging word that are there and just remember, God is going to do all that he said he will do, he is going to fulfill all that he promise you, do'nt give up on God because he wont give up on you
|