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Last, avoid unnecessary negativity from others when you are struggling emotionally. In stress whole groups of people can be bitter, bickering, angry, blaming, uncooperative, ... Just when people most need to come together in unity, they often begin pointing fingers and grumbling and gossiping. Sometimes, they just quit trying, for they are only fair-weather. When the going gets tough, they get going, but not in unity; they go bailing out on everyone else.
As a pastor I have to deal with such matters. But, even when we cannot avoid these situations, we have to learn how and when to shut out others' feelings, to care for our family and self. If we do not, the narcissistic, selfish emotionality of persons will prove unhelpful to our health and work. And, yes, there are persons of childish emotionality in our churches, even as elsewhere.
If you are down in the mud of needless negativity with others sharing the same mud hole, how can you help them get up and going again? We all get discouraged, helping others get un-discouraged may be a way for us to move beyond what we feel to feel love circulate again.
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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