Spiritual Rollercoaster

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Baroni on January 29, 2009 at 7:03pm

Thanks for the topic Rick... and for your honesty. In 25 years of full-time, mostly traveling ministry I have found myself sometimes living from high- to- high, from conference to exciting ministry trip, from new song to new song. I experienced the "painful mercy" of adversity in our marriage a few years ago when my wife and I encountered relational difficulty that a quick prayer couldn't fix. it was the "dark night of the soul" for both of us (and we have come through it by God's grace with a better relationship with God, ourselves and each other.)

I call it painful mercy because through the pain, I learned how to start appreciating the little things in life- the smell of coffee, a smile on my daughter's face, a good joke from a friend... I started to see the the journey really is the destination! In those times when we feel dry and tired and unspiritual and unmotivated, if we will just admit that to the Lord- I think that's most of the battle right there. When you can't carry the cross remember- the cross will carry you!
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts!
Godrest and Godspeed!

Permalink Reply by Bizzy Bender on January 29, 2009 at 7:08pm

I am a firm believer in the fact that if we only have highs and no lows we will never grow. So I welcome the dark nights of the soul and thank God for them because I know that I will be that much closer to Him when I get to the other side. No it's not a pleasant place but a necessary one, in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by BRENDA HATRIDGE on January 29, 2009 at 7:59pm

Praise God! for the valleys and trials , for those are the places where I grew to know Him better, experienced His compassion, mercy and strength and learned much , than I couldn't of , any other way. I f it wasn't for the valleys , would there be any mountain tops. I want all that God has for me, for my Heavenly Father, knows what is best for me.
I did have a period of dryness , when my husband was fighting a chemical imbalance in his brain and 13 phobias, i tried to deal with it in the manner specialist adviced but.. I couldn't do it alone, when again I turned to the Lord he helped me , help myhusband and after 14 years of fasting and praying my husband receieved his deliverance and healing and now we are both doing a great work for God and my husband is able to help others facing simuliar challenges. So.... what the enemy meant to be disaster, God turned around for His good and ours. What a mighty God we serve. Praise His Holy Name .

Permalink Reply by Luis Cascalheira on January 30, 2009 at 6:40am

I have often heard the call by believers ''send the fire LORD.more ,more LORD,and when HIS Cleansing fire does come then we want to put it out,I believe many times we dont know what we ask for,first of all the LORD will purify everything that will stand in the way of HIS holiness,BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY ,we cant do it on our own so as we walk with the LORD JESUS, i road we travel is directed by HIM, and HE prepares for HIMSELF a bride,Christianity has been given the wrong impression,when we are told to believe all things will be perfect ,IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL FIND MUCH TROUBLE, but be of good cheer,(HOPE)i have overcome the world.My message to all who read this,and to myself first,is the days are here where the purifying fire is being turned up,and therefore today we will see that YES HIS promises are yes and amen,but everything in this life i believe comes at a price,HE PAID THE PRICE,but we need to stand firm in who we will serve when the days are dim,and dreary,though their be no fruit on the vine or the fig does not blossom,yet will i praise HIM,JOB is the example to much of our trials,how much do you love JESUS will determine how much you love your wife ,children,friends and also yourself.BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS put on the Armour of GOD This is a war ,just look at those who do not know JESUS and you will see much distress,HE IS OUR HIDING PLACE.BLESSINGS LUIS

Permalink Reply by Joanne Marshall on February 12, 2009 at 11:03pm

Luis,

your comments R SUCH a blessing! Thank you for preaching the words we know but so often forget huh :-) I read your line 'though there be no fruit on the vine or the fig does not blossom' and I just sang out a melody riff! It was GOOD to be reminded of JOB's comment. Though things are not working out as surely one would have expected and when that which I should expect fruit does bring forth nothing- it will not stop the praise. How wonderful a thought............I have a song that says in the second verse "when I pass through the fire, you remain my desire" It is in the down times that these things become a reality.

I think so often I do expect that I'm supposed to be up all the time- truth is tht most of the time I have peace and God's joy (at least I think so!) But when I can;t fix things then my world is tougher- yet you are absolutely right to remind us 'in this world YOU WILL HAVE TRIAL's' it was a statement of fact.

Definately your email has encouraged me to HOLD fast at every point whether high or low. Paul said when you have done all you know ho to do STAND. Sometimes we do not understand the low but isn;t it great that Faith in God is not dependent on how we feel? It is our Fairth that saves us.

Have a wonderful day!

Jo

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Permalink Reply by Brian Cooney on January 30, 2009 at 1:01pm

Hi Rick, I am wondering if you are saying that your passion for Jesus...or your enthusiasm to pursue him, read, pray fluctuates or if you are referring to the emotional highs and lows that we all feel.

When I first became a Christian I used to get nervous if I felt I wasn't on a spiritual high 24/7. I think when we first meet Jesus we are on the "honeymoon" so-to-speak and feel like we are in a wonderful cocoon - even for years. As we continue to walk with Jesus I think He begins to withdraw the goosebumps more and more where He calls us to walk more and more by faith. It is no abnormal to have fluctuating emotions. And we shouldn't use these to determine our love level.

I believe Jesus tells us how to know if we love him or not. And it's not based on emotions. He said; "If you love me, you will obey my commands". When we use the Word of God to determine the truth and not our emotions, we can walk a more "solid" walk. Blessings! -brian

Permalink Reply by Rick Mouser on January 30, 2009 at 7:44pm

Hey Brian, I am saying it seems that people including myself loose there passion to pursue, whether it be burned out or other situations.... God Bless

Permalink Reply by Brian Cooney on January 30, 2009 at 10:55pm

oh.. oops.... i misunderstood... :-) Yeah.. Ya got to keep stoking the fire... sometimes a good 3-4 day fast helps... get away form the routine and coddling the flesh... .. tv/media fast... just making place for Him... to hear Him... to set aside special time for Him... oh man.. I'm convicting myself right now.. Keep pursuing! Bri

Permalink Reply by Rick Mouser on January 31, 2009 at 12:51am

I have been serving the Lord for 5yrs.. I was on fire, I was fasting all the time and on my knees all day long. My first year I was thrust into leadership roles at the church I attend. I saw God move through me in many ways: healings, propheticly, and so on. Being that young in the Lord I really didnt have a chance to set under a mentor and learn, of course the church was small and there was not alot of leaders so to speak. Within about 3yrs. of serving the Lord I was spiritually exhausted, but I could not step down and rest due to lack of contribution. So I have struggled here recently, be honest with you I have highs and lows, but it is hard for me to talk to individuals because I am qoute a LEADER. But I here the same story from alot of other young believers. Well anyway that is my story. I know what is right but I lack the stoking of the fire at times. Bizzy made a good comment about if you continue to have highs and lows you will never grow and it scares me. God Bless

Permalink Reply by David Baroni on February 1, 2009 at 12:17am

Rick,
I read a wondeful book by Major Ian W. Thomas called "The Saving Life Of Christ". I recommend it! HE said he had come to a place of utter exhaustion after preaching on the streets and being "on Fire" for a year. He realized that he was very sincerely serving God in his own strength instead of letting Christ be His Life. I can relate to that revelation. Be encouraged... the fact that you want to be passionate proves that God has put that desire in your heart and... "faithful is He who calls you- who will also perform it."

Permalink Reply by David Baroni on February 1, 2009 at 12:24am

Rick, One more thing- reading between the lines it seems that you are asked to do a lot and that you feel obligated because you are a leader.
Sometimes the most spiritual answer you can give is the word "no". After a long time in ministry I am realizing that it is not only O.K. to have boundaries and to say no sometimes, it is vital! Don't be guilted into burning yourself out!
Thanks for your honesty and starting this tread.
Godrest and Godspeed

Permalink Reply by Joanne Marshall on February 12, 2009 at 11:18pm

Hi Rick,

you might be interested to know that this month (Feb) is the first time in around 6 years I have deliberately said I am taking a month break from front line ministry, instead focus on dealing with ME not on what I do. My decision drew mixed responses BUT I tell you, i felt such a release and this is just week 2 nearly over, God has done SO much in that short time. I really think he is waiting to spend more time with us.

As leaders we get so used to working we almost wouldn't do anything else, if we are these kinds of people and in these situations I think we need to take time out to STOP. We can find it hard to hear when we are busy, even when you have 'quiet time' because it is too short and your mind knows you need to soon be planning that meeting or preparing that message.

I was the main worship leader with my band for the last 16 month, in that time I lead the team but I also groomed them as leaders. Now I am on my break, different people carry different responsibility and the TEAM are able to make things work as a collective.

Rick, a good friend of mine puts it this way 'we are not eternal' :-)
If you need a break take it before you lose heart completely. Plan for your roles to be covered as best you can then take a break and make sure it counts. 1 week is not enough. A month is probably a start, depends on how long you take to unwind- you may find you need a little longer. I don't think the church will close down if you need to rest. Actually you may find as I did that people react surprisingly well by rising to the occasion. There are now some roles I will not take back when i go back to lead the team because people are doing well.

God will build his church, but not on your back to break you.

Much love ok? Hope I didn't sound hard? But I know what 'workers are like' have to wrestle things out of our hands sometimes! Shoot us with one of those tranquilizer guns to make us get some rest! LOL!

Jo

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